Jones backs Joseph to put 'heat' on Wales's Patchell
BAGSHOT (United Kingdom): England coach Eddie Jones has backed Jonathan Joseph to make life tough for Wales flyhalf Rhys Patchell after recalling the centre for Saturday's Six Nations clash at Twickenham.
Outside centre Joseph and scrum-half Danny Care, in for the injured Ben Youngs, are the only two changes to the run-on XV that launched England's Six Nations title defence with a 46-15 win away to Italy on Sunday -- a match where they both starred off the bench.
Joseph has changed places with Worcester midfielder Ben Te'o, with his return forecast by Warren Gatland when the Wales coach named his side on Tuesday.
"It's just my gut feeling," said Jones at England's training base in Bagshot, southwest of London, on Thursday.
"I feel he will start the game well against Wales," added the Australian, who has won 23 of his 24 Tests in charge of England.
"We were very happy with Benny Te'o last week, he played really well for us. But it's also his second game back and my experience with players is that their second game back from a long injury is always the most difficult game, so we'll use him off the bench this week."
Wales come into this match on the back of thrashing Scotland 34-7 in Cardiff, a match where Patchell impressed in his first Six Nations start following injuries to first-choice Wales fly-halves Dan Biggar and Rhys Priestland.
But Jones said Joseph's sheer speed would provide Patchell with a tougher test.