England spring Elliot Daly shock

England are set to spring a selection surprise for Saturday’s autumn opener against South Africa by naming Elliot Daly at outside centre in place of Jonathan Joseph.

It is understood Daly is poised to make his first Test start after winning five caps as a replacement, forming a new midfield partnership with Owen Farrell that will provide two long-range kicking options.

Joseph - demoted to the bench for the visit of the Springboks to Twickenham - had been struggling with a minor groin injury, but the Bath three-quarter was yesterday declared fully fit by scrum coach Neal Hatley.