Eddie Jones was under fire again on Friday night after naming several players out of position for England’s crucial Six Nations match against Ireland, with a rookie forward as emergency back-line cover. 

Bath centre Jonathan Joseph is on the wing for Sunday's clash at Twickenham, with wing Ollie Thorley released to play for Gloucester on Saturday. 

Winning his 50th cap, Joseph will partner Jonny May and Elliot Daly in a new-look back three.

As revealed by Sportsmail, Joe Marler, Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi have all returned to the starting XV having been dropped or injured.

Courtney Lawes is also back in the team at flanker, with his Northampton team-mate Lewis Ludlam making way for the Lions veteran.

But with George Furbank injured, Joseph is the most eye-catching selection – and he will no doubt be tested aerially by Ireland half-backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton.

Jones claimed he had left out full back Furbank because he is unfit but retains him as a matchday reserve. Of the two backs on the bench, Exeter centre Henry Slade has been out injured since December.

'We've had a really good training week with Thursday probably our best session of the Guinness Six Nations,' said Jones.

'Ireland are a very good team, extremely well-coached. They are a team we respect a lot. They will bring their usual physicality and under Andy Farrell they've opened up their game a little bit.

'They are a tactically smart team. Murray and Sexton, who have played 170 Tests between them, at nine and 10 will manage the game well. We've got to make sure we match their physicality and their emotion on the weekend.

'We trained at Twickenham Stadium in front of 10,000 fans last Friday and we can't wait to get back out there in front of 80,000 people on Sunday.'

Despite struggling for form in the centres, Owen Farrell continues in the No 12 jersey, outside fly-half George Ford.

In the pack, Tom Curry continues to start at No 8, alongside Lawes and Sam Underhill in the back-row.

Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes start in the second-row, with Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler completing the pack.

Jones has continued with his ‘bomb squad’ bench, comprising six forwards and two backs.

Ben Earl is the replacement back-rower but the young Saracen, who only made his Test debut a fortnight ago, is on stand-by to play in midfield or on the wing.