Steve Borthwick to miss Six Nations finale with knee injury
Steve Borthwick out of England's Six Nations finale with France on Saturday with knee injury
Friday, 19, Mar 2010 05:40
By Matthew Champion.
England captain Steve Borthwick has been ruled out of England's Six Nations clash with France on Saturday from the knee injury he sustained against Scotland.
Louis Deacon will come in at lock to replace the Saracens man, while Leicester Tigers' Lewis Moody will captain Martin Johnson's team in Borthwick's absence.
A statement from the RFU added that Tom Palmer would join the bench as a result.
Moody, earning his 61st cap in Paris tomorrow night, has never captained England before.
The French are looking to end a three-year winless run against England on Saturday evening as they bid for their first Grand Slam in six years.
Unbeaten France could still secure the Six Nations crown with a defeat, with Ireland needing to thrash Scotland at Croke Park to have any hope of winning the tournament.
England team to play France:
15 Ben Foden, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Chris Ashton, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Danny Care , 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody (captain), 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Louis Deacon , 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Tom Palmer, 19 James Haskell, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Jonny Wilkinson, 22 Mathew Tait.