Owen Farrell could regain the England captaincy amid Courtney Lawes’ concussion 

Owen Farrell could regain the England captaincy after Courtney Lawes was ruled out of their series opener against Argentina.

Farrell has been on a mandatory 12-day stand-down since being knocked out by a knee to the head during Saracens’ victory over Exeter on October 22.

However, he was named in England’s 36-man squad and will be favourite to lead the team at Twickenham on Sunday if passed fit. 

Owen Farrell – who has been on a mandatory 12-day stand-down since being knocked out – could regain the England captaincy

As one of Eddie Jones’s most trusted players, Farrell may be fast-tracked into the starting XV, forming a potential midfield combination with Marcus Smith and Manu Tuilagi. 

Should he fail to pass his return-to-play protocols before Friday’s team announcement, Tom Curry and Ellis Genge are among the frontrunners to lead out England.

Lawes’ continued absence is a cause for concern, with the veteran still dealing with symptoms from a head injury he suffered in September.

Courtney Lawes (pictured above) was ruled out of their series opener against Argentina

Farrell was named in Eddie Jones’ 36-man squad and will be favourite to lead the team

After a week-long training camp in Jersey, England reconvened at their Pennyhill Park training base on Monday.

Winger Jonny May made a surprise comeback, having been cleared by a specialist just two weeks after dislocating his elbow.

Flanker Lewis Ludlam is unavailable due to an abdominal wall injury and Newcastle’s Sean Robinson has been drafted in as cover. Jack Willis or Sam Simmonds are most likely to fill the back-row void.