Rugby-Joseph dropped from England squad to face Italy

LONDON, Feb 22 ( Reuters) - England centre Jonathan Joseph been left out of the squad to face Italy in the Six Nations as coach Eddie Jones prepares to field a new-look midfield in Sunday's game at Twickenham.

Jones named a 24-man squad on Wednesday and will shed one more player later in the week before naming his matchday squad.

Joseph has been a mainstay since Jones's appointment, playing in all 15 tests since the Australian coach took charge.

His role at outside centre is likely to be filled by Elliot Daly, with the powerful Ben Te'o also in the running for a starting berth.

England featured a new-look midfield in training last week with Owen Farrell at flyhalf and Te'o and Daly in the centres, a combination which could see George Ford drop to the bench.

Ford played at flyhalf with Farrell at inside centre in England's opening Six Nations wins over France and Wales.

Prop Mako Vunipola and winger Anthony Watson were both included in the squad to face Italy after recovering from injury.

England are still on course for a second successive grand slam after beating France and Wales. Italy lost their first two games to Wales and Ireland.

(Reporting by Toby Davis, editing by Ed Osmond; editing by xxx)