It has been announced today (via Sky Sports) that Jonathon Joseph is set to start for England’s clash with Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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If he is fit, he is likely to return to outside centre, with Brad Barritt moving to inside centre – England coach Stuart Lancaster’s first-choice midfield partnership.
But he has been making good progress in his recovery and Stuart Lancaster is hopeful he will come through training unscathed this week.
Number eight Ben Morgan has recovered from his knee problem and is available to face Australia, but lock Courtney Lawes and scrum-half Ben Youngs are unlikely to recover in time from their respective knee and ankle issues.
“Jonathan walked through this morning with us and is due to train this afternoon”.
Jonathan Joseph will replace Sam Burgess in the England midfield against Australia.
The Rugby Football Union’s chief executive Ian Ritchie watched the session, as did former England flanker and 2003 World Cup victor Richard Hill.
Barritt is perhaps fortunate to have kept a place in the starting XV after following a poor display against Fiji with a rare defensive aberration that allowed Wales to score their decisive late try.
They had a quiet game in the opening win against Fiji but Joseph is England’s greatest try scoring threat.
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Asked if continuity of selection was therefore unnecessary, he added: ‘Totally. “They are not living it and doing it and I’m not bothered”. You’ve got to get the balance right depending on who you play against. In both cases, there will be a chance for further judgment on Saturday.
