Jonny May to miss second Test against Australia leaving Eddie Jones with big wing decision

Wing Jonny May is poised to miss out on selection for England’s crucial second Test against Australia despite returning to training after testing positive for Covid-19.

May came out of isolation on Friday, the day before the 30-28 defeat to Australia and his experience and pace would have made him a strong contender to come into the side for the second Test in Brisbane.

However, it is understood he is still not 100 per cent physically and will undertake a “graded return to full training”, according to defence coach Anthony Seibold.

May’s absence means England head coach Eddie Jones will have to decide whether to persevere with his wing pairing of Jack Nowell and Joe Cokanasiga or turn to speedsters Tommy Freeman or Henry Arundell, who came off the bench to score a wonder try on his debut in the first Test.

Seibold said May has been used as a resource for England’s young outside-back division. “One of the things we tried to do was include him while he was in isolation, so sending the team meetings, the backs united meetings,” Seibold said. “Keeping him involved and giving his feedback to the players from afar as well.

“We've used him as a really experienced Test player. We have a really young group in the backs so he's been a bit of a resource for those guys. He's been back on his feet today running, but he didn't join in with the team.”

Flanker Tom Curry had already been ruled out of the second Test after sustaining his third concussion in six months on Saturday. No 8 Billy Vunipola and Nowell also picked up minor knocks which has limited their training volume but Seibold says both will be available for selection.

Sam Underhill, Lewis Ludlam and Jack Willis are fighting to replace Curry, who will fly home on Wednesday, and Seibold is confident England will be able to cope with the openside flanker’s absence. “Lewis Ludlam came on and competed really strongly when Tom Curry came off with the HIA,” Seibold said.

“He's been a great leader for Northampton this year and when he comes into camp you can certainly tell why he is the captain of his club. He's got some great leadership quality and he competes really hard.

“Jack Willis from Wasps is really good over the ball. He competes really strongly defensively. Sam Underhill was one of the outstanding players at the 2019 World Cup. He missed out on selection for the first Test but he's competed really strongly to put him in the frame for the second.

“So we've got some options there and that's the main thing, albeit Tom Curry goes home and we do lose him, but we've got three really good guys competing to replace him.”

England were the last side to defeat Australia in Brisbane on their 2016 tour. Since then the Wallabies have won 10 straight games at the Suncorp Stadium and Seibold, an Australian, knows full well how challenging it will be to level the series.

“There will be lots of support for the Wallabies there,” he said. “Traditionally they get good support here in Brisbane. It's a great place to watch and play rugby. What better opportunity is there than to make it 1-1 at the Suncorp which Australia think of as their spiritual home. It's a great challenge but more an opportunity than an insurmountable challenge.”