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Joseph added to England squad for Ireland clash

Jonathan Joseph could come in for cap number 41
Jonathan Joseph could come in for cap number 41

Bath centre Jonathan Joseph has been added to the England squad ahead of next week's Guinness Six Nations opener against Ireland.

Joseph will be part of a 36-player group that departs for a training camp in Portugal on Wednesday, the Rugby Football Union said.

The 27-year-old returned to action for his club in Sunday's Heineken Champions Cup game against Toulouse after nine months out because of a foot injury.

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Joseph, who has won 40 caps and scored 17 Test tries, last played for England against Ireland in the Six Nations 10 months ago.

He played 50 minutes of the Toulouse match as Bath completed their Champions Cup campaign.

The RFU said: "Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) has been added to the squad, having proved his fitness at the weekend playing for his club."

Head coach Eddie Jones' squad also includes captain Owen Farrell, who underwent thumb surgery on Saturday, with his club Saracens anticipating that he will be sidelined for seven-10 days.

Wasps forwards Joe Launchbury (neck) and Brad Shields (side strain) also feature among the group.

Lock Launchbury went off after just nine minutes of Wasps' Champions Cup game against Leinster two days ago, while flanker Shields did not start.

Jones will take a squad of 25 players to Dublin on Thursday week for the 2 February clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Forwards
Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Ben Earl (Saracens) *, Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors) *, Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons). 

Backs
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs), Owen Farrell (Saracens) captain, George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Dan Robson (Wasps) *, Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby) *, Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers). 

*Uncapped

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