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BBC rugby correspondent Ian Robertson
looks at Clive Woodward's three changes
 real 14k

England coach Clive Woodward
"The hardest call was in the front row"
 real 14k

Prop Julian White
"I had an idea I might be involved"
 real 14k

New cap Steve Borthwick
"This is a step up the ladder"
 real 14k

The recalled Phil Greening
"It's a big surprise to me"
 real 14k

banner Tuesday, 3 April, 2001, 10:53 GMT 11:53 UK
Borthwick set for England debut
Lock Steve Borthwick in action for England A
Borthwick: Captain of the England A team
Click here for full squad list

England coach Clive Woodward has drafted in second string skipper Steve Borthwick for Saturday's showdown with France at Twickenham.

The Bath lock will make his senior debut as a replacement for injured second row forward Danny Grewcock, who on Tuesday completed a move from Saracens to Bath.

Woodward made only two other changes to the England side that thrashed Scotland.

Forward Julian White is called in to cover for Gloucester tighthead Phil Vickery, who has a strained neck.

England stand-in Julian White
White: Saracens prop gets his chance in the front row
And Leicester hooker Dorian West makes way for the fit again Phil Greening in the only unexpected switch.

This means there is no place in the 22 for Mark Regan.

Woodward said he had considered three players for Grewcock's position. The Saracens player badly hurt his jaw in mid-March.

"If Martin Johnson had been unable to play, Simon Shaw would have played with Danny Grewcock.

"But we looked at the balance of the team and he (Borthwick) is one of the best line out forwards in the premiership," he said.

Woodward called on Greening to prove he has put the discipline problems which he criticised earlier in the season, behind him.

England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson
Wilkinson: Stiff neck but cleared to play
"He knows what's at stake. In the last three games our penalty count has been spot-on.

"And if it's not going well for him I won't mind taking him off," Woodward said. "It was a tough call on West."

Greening's last England appearance was against South Africa four months ago.

Woodward has made no changes to the back line.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson hurt his neck at the weekend but will be fit.

England are seeking their fourth successive win in the Six Nations Championship.

Their final match, a clash against Ireland which could decide the title, will not take place until next season due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The BBC will be broadcasting England's game against France live on Radio 4 longwave and via audio webcast here on Sport Online. Kick-off 1430 BST.

On Sunday, Italy versus Wales will be broadcast live on BBC Two, Radio 4 long wave and via audio webcast on BBC Sport Online. Kick-off 1400 BST.

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England team.
Backs:
I Balshaw (Bath); A Healey (Leicester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Catt (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton).
Forwards:
J Leonard (Harlequins), P Greening (Wasps), J White (Saracens), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), S Borthwick (Bath), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps).
Replacements: D West (Leicester), T Woodman (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps), M Corry (Leicester), K Bracken (Saracens), M Perry (Bath), J Robinson (Sale).

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