Eddie Jones springs surprise by dropping Jonathan Joseph from England squad

Meanwhile, Conor O’Shea has made four changes to his Italy team for Sunday’s clash at Twickenham.

ENGLAND HEAD COACH Eddie Jones has left centre Jonathan Joseph out of his match-day squad for Sunday’s Six Nations game against Italy at Twickenham [3pm, live RTÉ2].

The Bath centre has featured in all 15 Tests of the Australian’s tenure to date but has been released to play for his club this weekend.

Elliot Daly, who has impressed on the wing in victories against France and Wales, is expected to line out at outside centre while Jones will have to cut one more name from his 24-man squad when he names his final 23 on Friday.

Former Leinster back Ben Te’o is also believed to be pushing for a starting berth — at inside centre — with Owen Farrell being tipped to fly-half in place of George Ford.

The Saracens playmaker could also be in line to skipper England in his 50th Test if captain Dylan Hartley is dropped to the bench as part of the reshuffle.

Also included in the 24-man selection are flanker James Haskell, hoping to make his first start since June 2016, prop Mako Vunipola, and winger Anthony Watson.

Meanwhile, Italy head coach Conor O’Shea has made four changes for Sunday’s fixture in the wake of their 63-10 defeat to Ireland last time out.

Fly-half Tommaso Allan comes off the bench to replace Carlo Canna and Exeter Chiefs’ Michele Campagnaro — a late replacement against Wales and Ireland — will start at centre in place of Tommaso Benvenuti.

Elsewhere, flanker Abraham Steyn replaces Maxime Mbanda in the back row while Giulio Bisegni comes off the bench to start in place of Angelo Esposito on the wing.

England squad:

Forwards: Jack Clifford, Dan Cole, Jamie George, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Tom Wood.

Backs: Mike Brown, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Italy:

15. Edoardo Padovani
14. Giulio Bisegni
13. Michele Campagnaro
12. Luke McLean
11. Giovanbattista Venditti
10. Tommaso Allan
9. Edoardo Gori

1. Andrea Lovotti
2. Leonardo Ghiraldini
3. Lorenzo Cittadini
4. Marco Fuser
5. Andries Van Schalkwyk
6. Abraham Steyn
7. Simone Favaro
8. Sergio Parisse (capt)

Replacements:
16. Ornel Gega
17. Michele Rizzo
18. Pietro Ceccarelli
19. George Biagi
20. Maxime Mbanda
21. Giorgio Bronzini
22. Carlo Canna
23. Tommaso Benvenuti