Head coach Brian Ashton yesterday announced 11 changes to the England team to face France in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham on Saturday.
Forward Dan Ward-Smith was released from the squad after failing to prove his fitness. Ashton retains only four of the team that thrashed Wales 62-5 last Saturday in his 15 for the first of two meetings with the World Cup hosts France. Former captain Lawrence Dallaglio is recalled at number eight, for his first start since 2004, and outhalf Jonny Wilkinson moves to the bench. The four survivors are Shaun Perry, Andrew Sheridan, Simon Shaw and Mark Regan. Captain Phil Vickery, who limped off with an ankle injury, has been included on the bench and Mike Catt takes over as captain.
Ashton is due to announce his squad for the World Cup before meeting France in Marseille on August 18th.
ENGLAND(v France, Twickenham, Saturday): Nick Abendanon; Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Mike Catt (capt), Josh Lewsey; Olly Barkley, Shaun Perry; Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan, Matt Stevens, Simon Shaw, Ben Kay, James Haskell, Lewis Moody, Lawrence Dallaglio. Replacements: Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Martin Corry, Joe Worsley, Andy Gommarsall, Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Cipriani.
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