England lose trio for France clash

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LONDON (Reuters) - England captain Phil Vickery, flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson and centre Andy Farrell have been ruled out of the Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham on Sunday.

The trio have failed to recover from injury, with Wilkinson’s absence a huge blow as England look to recover from their 43-13 mauling by Ireland in Dublin on February 24. Mike Catt will captain the side.

Toby Flood comes in for Wilkinson, who suffered a hamstring injury playing for his club side Newcastle at the weekend.

Vickery suffered concussion playing for Wasps while Farrell has been receiving treatment on his lower back.

In a much-changed line-up, Julian White comes in for Vickery in the front row while former captain Martin Corry switches to the second row, with Nick Easter coming in at number eight.

Four players have been dropped from the pack -- Perry Freshwater, Louis Deacon, Danny Grewcock and Magnus Lund.

Team: 15-Josh Lewsey; 14-David Strettle, 13-Mike Tindall, 12-Mike Catt, 11-Jason Robinson; 10-Toby Flood, 9-Harry Ellis; 8-Nick Easter, 7-Tom Rees, 6-Joe Worsley, 5-Tom Palmer, 4-Martin Corry, 3-Julian White, 2-George Chuter, 1-Tim Payne

Replacements: 16-Lee Mears, 17-Stuart Turner, 18-Louis Deacon, 19-Magnus Lund, 20-Shaun Perry, 21-Shane Geraghty, 22-Mathew Tait

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