Six Nations news: England captain Owen Farrell ruled out for entire competition

He said: "Owen is out of the Six Nations. It's a massive blow for him personally and for the team it's a blow.

"But it's obviously an opportunity for other guys to step up into leadership roles and for other players to play for that 12 jumper. We see it more as an opportunity.

"In today's rugby, having your best team on the field is a rare occurrence. We're pretty used to it. There's an opportunity there to build a bit more leadership depth."

England's goal kicker was expected to make his comeback from surgery but now faces up to 10 weeks away from the rugby pitch after rolling his right ankle during a training session at Saracens.

The 30-year-old is due to have another surgery on Monday, meaning he will miss the entirety of the Six Nations.

In another blow for Jones, Jonny May is also expected to miss the Championship as he awaits surgery on his knee.

Meanwhile, Jonny Hill, Courtney Lawes and Joe Marler are all doubts for the opener with Scotland. Hill has just come out of a protective boot for his damaged foot while Lawes is yet to train with the team after sustaining a concussion while in action for Northampton against Ulster.

Marler, on the other hand, has tested positive for Covid-19 and could be back in the team as early as Monday or miss out altogether.

If that wasn't enough of a headache for Jones, the team was forced to evacuate their hotel last Tuesday following an electrical fire outside the building.

Despite the disruption, Jones was happy to take the positives out of the experience saying: "There were billows of smoke coming out of a manhole and all of a sudden it lit up and a huge fire like a bonfire came out of the manhole.

"We had to evacuate the hotel and at one stage we were going to go to the Cotswolds and buy some sleeping bags! We got through the night and we're here.

"It's good disruption because everyone had to adapt. We enjoy these sorts of things. Every time we deal with it a little bit better.

"We had a similar situation with the typhoon in the 2019 World Cup when we had to move hotels quickly, so the guys have been in that situation before and they lead the way.

"We don't ask for it, but when it comes our way we accept it. I really like how the players handle it, take it in their stride, get on with it. The game of rugby teaches that."