Jonathan Joseph is expected to return from a chest injury in time to face Australia on Saturday in what could be the make-or-break game for England’s Rugby World Cup campaign.
As reported by Sky Sports, the Bath centre missed the 25-28 loss to Wales last Saturday with a pectoral muscle injury but is on course to return to the starting XV at the expense of Sam Burgess.
A final fitness test will be run on Thursday where a decision will be made on whether Joseph is able to start ahead of the squad announcement.
Should Joseph return to the team Brad Barritt is expected to move back into inside centre – England coach Stuart Lancaster’s preferred midfield partnership.
The only enforced change that Lancaster has been moved to make so far is expected to be the return of Ben Morgan at number eight after Billy Vunipola was ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury, while Owen Farrell is expected to keep his place in the team ahead of George Ford, following an impressive performance against Wales.
