Skipper Farrell has not performed in any respect for 2 months since injuring his ankle throughout the autumn win over Australia at Twickenham in November.
He had been on account of make his long-awaited return for membership Saracens within the European Problem Cup tie towards London Irish on Sunday, solely to endure a brand new proper ankle damage in coaching late final week that required a go to to a specialist.
That new health blow thrust Farrell’s Six Nations availability into recent doubt, with Jones confirming throughout the 2022 match’s press launch on Tuesday morning that his captain required surgical procedure on the “freak” damage and can be absent for all 5 matches.
“Owen might be out of the Six Nations. Courtney [Lawes] is progressing properly, so we’re nonetheless hopeful he might be accessible for Scotland,” stated Jones.
“It’s a huge blow for him personally and for the crew it’s a blow, however additionally it is a chance for different guys to step up into management roles.
“It’s a chance for different gamers to play for that 12 jumper, so we see it extra as a chance. In right now’s rugby, having your greatest crew on the sector is a uncommon incidence so we’re fairly used to it.
“Final night time we needed to go away our resort as a result of we had a hearth exterior. The boys are adaptable, they know find out how to get on with it and there is a chance there to construct a bit extra management depth.”
Saracens subsequently introduced that Farrell would have surgical procedure right now and is predicted to overlook round eight to 10 extra weeks of motion.
England drafted George Ford into the group coaching in Brighton on Monday amid the considerations over Farrell, having chosen Marcus Smith and Tub’s Orlando Bailey as the opposite fly-half choices of their preliminary squad earlier this month.
Farrell’s absence is the most recent blow for England forward of their Six Nations opener towards Scotland at Murrayfield on February 5.
Doubtless stand-in captain Courtney Lawes is present process head damage return to play protocols, whereas wing Jonny Could withdrew from the squad on account of a knee damage and prop Joe Marler examined optimistic for Covid-19.
England additionally needed to evacuate their Brighton resort on Monday night time on account of a close-by fireplace.