Johnson to lead unchanged England side

Martin Johnson will captain an unchanged England team in Saturday's Six Nations showdown against France in Paris.

Martin Johnson will captain an unchanged England team in Saturday's Six Nations showdown against France in Paris.

Johnson takes charge of England for the 23rd time despite the spectre of a three-week suspension hanging over him.

The Leicester lock is free to play until the Rugby Football Union (RFU) schedule an appeal against his ban imposed following a punch on Saracens hooker Robbie Russell.

England boss Clive Woodward has selected Johnson despite the furore surrounding him at present, and it will be the same side that demolished Ireland 45-11 10 days ago.

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But there are three changes on the replacements' bench including a first senior call-up for former Rugby League star Henry Paul.

New Zealander Paul joined Gloucester in a six figure switch from Bradford Bulls last October, and now finds himself in the Six Nations spotlight.

He gains a place in England's 22 because Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson is sidelined with ankle trouble. Paul will cover fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and provide Woodward with goalkicking back-up.

Also on the bench, Leicester flanker Martin Corry takes over from his Tigers team-mate Lewis Moody, who suffered a broken nose playing against Northampton last Saturday and there is a recall for Harlequins wing Dan Luger, who has recovered from a hamstring problem to displace Iain Balshaw.

England team:
J Robinson (Sale); A Healey (Leicester), M Tindall (Bath), W Greenwood (Harlequins), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken(Saracens); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps).

Replacements:D West (Leicester), J Leonard (Harlequins), D Grewcock (Bath), M Corry (Leicester), N Duncombe (Harlequins), H Paul (Gloucester), D Luger (Harlequins).

PA