Dawson will win his 76th cap against France on Sunday

Dawson comes in for Leicester's Harry Ellis while the fit-again Stevens replaces Sale prop Andrew Sheridan.

Both Sheridan and Ellis are relegated to the bench alongside number eight Lawrence Dallaglio - a replacement for the fourth straight game.

Lee Mears replaces George Chuter on the bench while Perry Freshwater drops out.

Reserve hooker Chuter is suspended after being cited for an alleged stamp during Leicester's semi-final against Wasps.

I believe Corry, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley are the best back row we have Andy Robinson

Robinson has kept faith with captain Martin Corry, despite twice replacing him with Dallaglio in England's three Six Nations games so far.

"Martin's the captain, Martin is a very strong captain," Robinson reiterated on Tuesday. "We've been able to talk honestly and he's got the whole respect of the team.

"There was no preconceived idea beforehand at Murrayfield. Against Scotland, at 12-9 down, we needed a fresh injection.

"Lawrence has been performing well but I believe Corry, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley are the best back row we have."

Dawson, 33, has not started a Six Nations game since the defeat to Wales in Cardiff last year.

But he will earn his 76th cap at the Stade de France as Ellis pays the price for a disappointing display in the defeat to Scotland last time out.

Robinson needs to open his eyes and realise that there's no point in consistent selection if it's consistently poor selection From TP Have your say on Scrum V

"Harry has performed well but it has been part of my plans for this French game for Matt to be in the starting position," Robinson explained. "This was a horses for courses selection.

"With his experience, his ability to control the forwards, which is probably better than Harry's at the moment, I thought it was the right decision."

Stevens missed the 18-12 loss in Edinburgh because of a shoulder injury but returns to the side at loose-head with Julian White remaining at tight-head and Sheridan omitted.

"Matt Stevens is our best prop and also has mobility away from the scrum," Robinson said.

We've got to be in their faces and stop the band from playing England coach Andy Robinson

Bath lock Danny Grewcock remains in the side after escaping with a caution for an alleged stamp during Saturday's Powergen Cup semi-final against the Scarlets.

England have only won once, a 15-9 victory in 2000, in five visits to the Stade de France, including a World Cup quarter-final defeat to South Africa in 1999.

But Robinson is confident his side can win in Paris if they can "get in the faces" of the French and rectify the errors from their Murrayfield defeat.

"France's set-piece and power of their pack can be totally dominating and they have real quality in their backline," he added.

"We've got to be in their faces and stop the band from playing.

"One thing we didn't do against Scotland is keep the scoreboard ticking over and build a lead. That's especially important away from home."

England team: Josh Lewsey (Wasps); Mark Cueto (Sale), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Ben Cohen (Northampton); Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Matt Dawson (Wasps); Matt Stevens (Bath), Steve Thompson (Northampton), Julian White (Leicester); Steve Borthwick (Bath), Danny Grewcock (Bath); Joe Worsley (Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Martin Corry (Leicester, capt). Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Lawrence Dallaglio (Wasps), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Andy Goode (Leicester), Tom Voyce (Wasps).