Jonathan Joseph: Bath's England centre sidelined for three months

Image source, PA

Image caption, Jonathan Joseph initially sustained the injury in England's first Rugby World Cup game against Fiji

Bath and England centre Jonathan Joseph has been ruled out for three months after having surgery on the pectoral injury he sustained during the first game of the Rugby World Cup.

Joseph, 24, suffered the injury during the tournament opener against Fiji.

He then missed the 28-25 defeat by Wales, but did recover to face Australia a week later when England's exit from the tournament was confirmed.

That was his 16th international appearance for his country.

He becomes, in retrospect, England's second World Cup injury casualty, on top of Billy Vunipola.

The Saracens forward was expected to be out for six weeks when his World Cup ended with a knee ligament strain in the defeat by Wales at Twickenham on 27 September.

Bath make Yuletide fixture switch

Bath have put back their scheduled Boxing Day home fixture with Worcester a day to Sunday 27 December (14:30 GMT).

There is no public transport in Bath on Boxing Day, forcing the switch.

"We were made aware that not only would there be no trains or buses but also that the park and ride services, which have run in previous years, would not be running," said Bath head of operations Alex Cohen.