 Wilkinson and Johnson return |
England coach Clive Woodward has brought back his big guns for Saturday's return friendly with France at Twickenham. Full-back Jason Robinson, fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and captain Martin Johnson return for England's final match before the World Cup.
A second-string side lost by one point to France in Marseille last weekend, and the French will field their own collection of fringe players for the second match.
Ben Cohen, Julian White and Martin Corry are the only survivors from the Marseille defeat.
Number eight Corry keeps his place after impressing against Wales and France and will hope to boost his hopes of travelling to Australia as Lawrence Dallaglio's understudy.
Centre Stuart Abbott made his debut against Wales and gets another chance to prove himself as Woodward looks to prune his squad from 35 to 30.
Dallaglio, Phil Vickery, Mike Tindall, James Simpson-Daniel, Mark Regan, Alex King and Joe Worsley were not considered for the match because of minor injuries.
Woodward is due to name his World Cup squad next Monday.
England team to play France at Twickeham on Saturday: J Robinson (Sale); I Balshaw (Bath), S Abbott (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Leicester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester).
Replacements: D West (Leicester), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Shaw (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Dawson (Northampton), P Grayson (Northampton), J Lewsey (Wasps).
MMIX
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