You are in > manchester.com  > News > Catt captains injury-hit England

Rugby Union

Catt captains injury-hit England

06/03/2007

England will be without captain Phil Vickery, Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell for the Six Nations game with France on Sunday.

Coach Brian Ashton has been forced to leave out the injured trio, with Farrell's replacement in the side, Mike Catt, assuming the captaincy.

The revamped team will take on the unbeaten France without their record points scorer in Wilkinson and minus World Cup winner Vickery.

The news is a massive blow to Ashton, who is looking for an improved display after the heavy defeat by Ireland in England's last outing.

Toby Flood comes in at number ten in place of team-mate Wilkinson, who suffered a strained hamstring during Newcastle's defeat to London Irish.

Meanwhile there is also a reshuffle in the pack, with Julian White and Tim Payne coming into the front row after Vickery sustained concussion, and a new-look back-row in the form of Wasps' Tom Rees and Harlequins number eight Nick Easter.

In the second row Martin Corry switches from his traditional position at the base of the scrum and will play alongside Tom Palmer as England look to win more ball from set pieces to set their back line free.

The makeshift pack is dominated by Wasps and Leicester players, with only Easter coming from outside the two clubs.

Sale flanker Magnus Lund must make do with a place on the bench after returning from injury but there is some good news as his clubmate Jason Robinson makes a welcome return to the team after missing the Ireland game.

Alongside Robinson in the back three will be David Strettle, who keeps his place after an encouraging performance against Ireland, and also Josh Lewsey – who switches to full-back.

England team to face France at Twickenham

Backs: J Lewsey (Wasps); J Robinson (Sale), M Tindall (Gloucester), M Catt (London Irish), D Strettle (Harlequins); T Flood (Newcastle), H Ellis (Leicester)

Forwards: T Payne (Wasps), G Chuter (Leicester), J White (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester), T Palmer (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins)

Replacements: L Mears (Bath), S Turner (Sale), L Deacon (Leicester), M Lund (Sale), S Perry (Bristol), S Geraghty (London Irish), M Tait (Newcastle)



© Adfero Ltd