England exile continues for Mako Vunipola as Eddie Jones turns to uncapped Bevan Rodd to replace Joe Marler

Saracens prop Mako Vunipola’s England exile has continued after Eddie Jones this morning elected to call up Bevan Rodd to replace Joe Marler.

Harlequins prop Marler is currently isolating after testing positive for Covid-19 on Monday and he will miss Saturday’s match with Australia.

Ellis Genge is the only other loosehead specialist in the England squad and, as a result, Jones has elected to call up Rodd.

The 21-year-old, who plays for Sale Sharks, has played for England at Under-18 level but is yet to make a senior appearance for his country.

Jones could have called upon Saracens’ prop Vunipola, who has played 67 times for England and is a British & Irish Lion, too.

The 30-year-old, along with his younger brother Billy, has not been called up by England since the Lions tour to South Africa in the summer and his exile has now continued after being overlooked again.

There was relief for England on Wednesday as extra rounds of testing confirmed no further Covid cases in the camp on the back of Marler’s positive test.

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