Jonathan Joseph a doubt to feature in South Africa tour with ankle injury

(Photo: Getty Images)
By Jake Jones
Jonathan Joseph has emerged as a doubt for England‘s upcoming summer tour to South Africa following an ankle injury he sustained in Bath‘s defeat to Saracens at the weekend.
Joseph limped over to the sidelines in the 29th minute of the 41-6 defeat at Allianz Park after contact with Schalk Burger, and footage later showed the centre leaving the game on crutches as the game neared its conclusion.
The early exit of the 26-year-old will be a cause of concern for England head coach Eddie Jones who is making preparations for a three-Test tour series against the Springboks this summer.
Bath’s director of rugby Todd Blackadder provided an update on the outside centre’s injury, saying: “He looks like he’s given his ankle a good tweak.
“They (Bath’s medical team) were unsure of how long he will be out for – hopefully it won’t be too serious.”
Joseph’s injury and potential absence opens the door for the likes of Elliott Daly to play in his preferred position, with Henry Slade and Alex Lozowski also options for the Red Rose.
Bath’s participation in next season’s European Challenge Cup is all but secured before their trip to Kingsholm in the West Country derby, rounding off the season at home to the Premiership‘s bottom side London Irish.