Axe falls on Armitage

Out-of-form full-back dropped from 22 ahead of France clash

Last updated: 17th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Axe falls on Armitage

Armitage: Dropped

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Delon Armitage has paid the price for his slump in form with England manager Martin Johnson dropping the full-back from his squad for this weekend's RBS Six Nations finale against France.

The decision to drop Armitage paves the way for Ben Foden to make his first Test start in the number 15 jersey - although it is not the only change to come as a result of England's 15-15 draw against Scotland last weekend.

Captain Steve Borthwick will be assessed on Wednesday after undergoing treatment for a long-standing knee problem, while winger Ugo Monye is unavailable after suffering a neck injury at Murrayfield.

Jonny Wilkinson's position is also under threat after he took a couple of heavy blows to the head against Scotland, which necessitated his substitution in the second half of the match.

However, his form has been questionable throughout the tournament and his replacement on Saturday, Toby Flood, is pressing hard for the number 10 jersey.

Mike Tindall and Chris Ashton are also in the running for places in Johnson's XV for the match at the Stade de France, which will be announced on Wednesday lunchtime.

Tindall's inclusion in the 22-man squad comes as France, who are chasing the Grand Slam this weekend, selected the powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

However, it places Mathew Tait's position in doubt: he could move from outside centre to the left wing to replace Monye but England see him less as a utility player these days.

Therefore, a Test debut could be on the cards for Northampton wing Ashton.

Elsewhere, flanker Lewis Moody is challenging for a recall after being dropped for the Scotland match while Simon Shaw is set for a return to the second row after recovering from a shoulder injury.

"It is not about chopping and changing on a whim because that doesn't do anyone any good," said Johnson.

"We have got to pick a team to win every individual game."

Below their best

England head into Saturday's match having offered a string of performances during this season's competition that have hardly quickened pulses.

Winger Mark Cueto admitted on Tuesday that they are playing well below their best and Johnson also said he understood why fans feel disillusioned.

England have registered as many tries in this championship - five - as Riki Flutey scored on his own last year, when Johnson's men finished as the leading try-scorers in the Six Nations.

They appear set to record their lowest number of points scored since the inception of the Six Nations in 2000 and they have also been second-best at the breakdown, winning just five turnovers in four matches compared to a total of 33 in 2009.

Once again - to the frustration of those who are beginning to lose patience with a now familiar mantra - Johnson and captain Steve Borthwick both stressed "progress" and "improvement" after the Murrayfield draw.

Asked whether he understood the frustrations of the fans, Johnson said: "Of course. We are not saying this is good enough, we are saying we can be better than that.

"Going through these not-so-great experiences is part of everything, part of life and sport and rugby.

"Going through a draw at Murrayfield which feels like a loss, losing in the last six minutes to Ireland - horrible though it is, is part of the deal.

"Frustration was the buzzword in the squad on Saturday and nothing has changed. The perception that the team is shackled and inhibited is wrong but the mistakes really hurt us.

"It is not the ambition as much as the execution that is hurting us. There are not a huge amount of secrets out there and at this moment France are doing better than anyone."

Pressure

France have plenty of motivation heading into Saturday night's match, of course, but England have nevertheless beaten Les Bleus on their last two visits to Paris - in the 2009 Six Nations and in the 2007 World Cup semi-final.

"There is pressure on them. They have been the form team of the tournament but we are an international team, we are playing for England and we want to perform," added Johnson.

"They have a lot to lose in terms of not winning a Grand Slam. We have a lot to lose every time we play for England."