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Jonathan Joseph left out of England squad for Italy game in Six Nations

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17:  Jonathan Joseph runs with the ball during the England training session held at Twickenham Stadium on February 17, 2017 in L
Image: Jonathan Joseph has been dropped from England's squad to face Italy

Jonathan Joseph has been dropped from England's squad for Sunday's Six Nations game against Italy.

England will field a new-look centre partnership against Italy on Sunday after Eddie Jones removed the Bath player from his group for the game at Twickenham, meaning Elliot Daly or Ben Te'o could start.

Mako Vunipola and Anthony Watson have also been retained in the squad after recovering from injury.

Mako Vunipola in England action
Image: England prop Mako Vunipola has made a full recovery from his knee injury

Vunipola missed England's first two games of the tournament against France and Wales as he recovered from a knee injury suffered in December.

However, he completed 70 minutes on his return for Saracens last Friday and has trained extensively with the squad this week.

England may give James Haskell his first start since the clean sweep of the Wallabies after declaring the openside is fit enough to step up from the 'finisher' role he has performed so far in the Six Nations.

James Haskell leaves the pitch after England's Six Nations win over France
Image: James Haskell may start in Sunday's match at Twickenham

Italy coach O'Shea has made four changes to the side that suffered a record 63-10 defeat to Ireland last weekend.

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The most significant sees Tommaso Allan make his first start of the tournament at fly-half, replacing Carlo Canno who drops to the bench - one of three changes to the Azzurri back-line.

Exeter Chiefs centre Michele Campagnaro, who came on as a late replacement in the home defeats to Wales and Ireland, starts in midfield in place of Tommaso Benvenuti.

England squad to play Italy:

Forwards: Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton)

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Jonny May (Gloucester), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Te'o (Worcester), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester)

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