Four years after making his sole appearance for England, centre Will Joseph is re-establishing himself as a key player at Gloucester Rugby. The 24-year-old, younger brother of retired England international Jonathan Joseph, has experienced significant changes since his early career days.
Joseph first emerged on the international stage in 2022 while part of the London Irish academy, earning his England debut just before turning 20. He was initially selected as an apprentice on England’s summer tour to Australia, unexpectedly coming off the bench in the victory at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. However, despite this early promise, Joseph’s international opportunities have since been limited to a single England squad selection ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Following the demise of London Irish at the end of the subsequent season, Joseph faced uncertainty alongside many of his teammates. The club’s collapse left a strong roster of young talent scattered, with some players forced to abandon professional rugby ambitions. Joseph, however, secured a move to Harlequins and was viewed as a valuable acquisition. Yet injuries and frequent changes in coaching staff hindered his progress at Harlequins.
An additional challenge emerged unexpectedly during his time at the Stoop when Joseph lost all hearing in his left ear due to what doctors have described as an autoimmune reaction. Despite the potential career disruption, Joseph opted against using a hearing aid during matches and adapted to playing with one functioning ear. The condition has reportedly not impacted his on-field performance, though it remains a source of frustration for his teammates.
Seeking a fresh start and more consistent game time, Joseph transferred to Gloucester, where he reunited with former London Irish attack coach James Lightfoot-Brown. Since joining Gloucester, Joseph has flourished, highlighted by a standout performance in a recent 48-0 victory over his former club Harlequins. Gloucester currently sit atop the Gallagher Premiership table, reflecting a renewed confidence instilled under technical director Chris Boyd.
Joseph acknowledges the contrast to his earlier years, noting the emotional toll of losing a club he loved and the challenges that followed. He describes the current environment at Gloucester as having a stronger sense of belief and purpose. Looking ahead, Joseph and Gloucester prepare to face European champions Bordeaux Bègles in the Champions Cup, a stern test for the in-form side as they seek to build on their positive start to the season.