Jonathan Joseph injury: Bath confirm England centre out for the months after surgery on World Cup injury leaves him in Six Nations doubt

Joseph suffered the injury during the World Cup and has undergone pectoral surgery with just over three months remaining until England's Six Nations opener against Scotland

Jonathan Joseph has been ruled out for three months (Getty Images)

England centre Jonathan Jospeh faces a battle to prove his fitness for the 2016 Six Nations after he was ruled out for three months having undergone surgery on the pectoral injury he suffered in the Rugby World Cup.

Joseph suffered a torn pectoral muscle after the World Cup opening victory over Fiji and missed the 28-25 defeat to Wales four weeks ago before being rushed back to face Australia. Despite Joseph’s return, England were comprehensively beaten 33-13 to confirm their early exit from the tournament, although Joseph did come off the bench in the final pool victory over Uruguay.

However, having returned to his Premiership club Bath, Joseph has undergone surgery and will be out for the next three months, leaving him just a handful of weeks to regain his fitness ahead of England’s Six Nations opener on 6 February against Scotland at Murrayfield.

"Bath can confirm that centre Jonathan Joseph underwent surgery earlier this week for a pectoral injury sustained during the World Cup," a Bath statement read.

"Joseph, who made his 16th international appearance for England during the competition, will be out of action for approximately three months."

Joseph has emerged this year as one of the first names on the teamsheet for England, and despite doubts surrounding a number of England players following the poor showing at the World Cup, he is expected to remain one of the pivotal figures in the English back line.