England head coach Stuart Lancaster has hinted that he sees Manu Tuilagi and Jonathan Joseph as his preferred combination at centre.

Joseph has been a standout performer for England in the Six Nations so far, scoring three tries in the first two games against Wales and Italy.

Tuilagi is unlikely to feature in the tournament due to a chronic pelvic injury, but Lancaster clearly still sees him as a crucial player for the national team.

He told reporters: "JJ has been the top-ranked centre in the country this season. Manu can certainly play 12. He has played there before for us. His role in attack is very much as a 12 in that he's very much the guy who gets us across the gainline.

"Having someone of that size and presence at 12 in defence is not a bad thing either. He isn't going to come back in the short term but it could be a potent combination."

England next face Ireland in Dublin.