'To be part of the World Cup squad would be something so special'

As one of those drafted into England’s starting XV on Friday, Jonathan Joseph put in a decent showing in Eddie Jones’ midfield on Sunday as he strove to impress ahead of Rugby World Cup squad selection.

Joseph told RugbyPass following the win over Wales at Twickenham: “I was very happy… obviously a late call-up, so I had to make sure I was up to speed with everything. Really happy with how it went. There’s still obviously a lot to work on - your first hit out, there’s always areas you want to get better at.”

In terms of England’s unexpected victory, given the experience they were giving away to Wales, Joseph was impressed at how they managed to carve out the comfortable win. “As a whole, to put in a performance like this, to get the win like that – unbelievable. I thought we started exceptionally well.

“We had a bit of a dry patch in the middle but for us to overcome that… before you could argue we wouldn’t have been able to keep that lead and push on, but it shows great character in the squad now. I feel like we have overcome those challenges.”

As the minutes ticked down to Eddie Jones’ squad announcement for Japan on Monday, Joseph was hoping he had done enough to impress the boss.

He added: “If you look at the squad we have as a collective, the belief we have to go there and win it is amazing. 

“To be part of that would be something so special. Fingers crossed. If it’s not to be, it’s not to be. Just massively excited over what is to come.”

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