JOSEPH OUT OF SUMMER TOUR
JONATHAN JOSEPH will miss England’s end-of-season tour to South Africa as a result of the ankle injury he suffered during Bath’s 41-6 defeat at Saracens on Sunday. The 26-year-old centre is yet to have a scan on the left ankle which he damaged in a collision with Schalk Burger, but Sportsmail understands Joseph has suffered a serious setback. He needed crutches to return to the dug-out and left the ground wearing a protective boot. His withdrawal from the three-Test series against the Springboks is a significant blow to Eddie Jones. Joseph has been a fixture at outside centre for England, appearing in 24 of the 28 Tests since the Australian took charge. Jones values the footwork, pace and vision which make Joseph a deadly attacking threat when given any space, while also highly regarding his defensive skills. Now he appears destined to join Anthony Watson, a team-mate for club and country, as an absentee from the tour along with forwards Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes. With Manu Tuilagi in rehab mode yet again, Jones will look to Ben Te’o at No 13. Elliot Daly, Jack Nowell and Alex Lozowski are also possibilities. Promoted Bristol revealed yesterday that they are being rebranded as Bristol Bears, complete with new club logo, for their return to the Premiership next season.