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Armitage axed by England
20:45, Mar 16 2010
Delon Armitage has been dropped for England's RBS 6 Nations clash with Grand Slam-chasing France - clearing the way for Ben Foden to make his first Test start at full-back.
Armitage has paid the price for a slump in form, dropping out of the 22-man squad altogether, and he is not the only casualty from England's 15-15 draw with Scotland last weekend. England's captain Steve Borthwick will be assessed on Wednesday after undergoing treatment for a long-standing wear and tear problem in his knee.
However winger Ugo Monye is unavailable after suffering a neck injury at Murrayfield while Jonny Wilkinson's position at fly-half is under threat.
Wilkinson took a couple of heavy blows to the head against Scotland but his form has been questionable all tournament and Toby Flood is pressing hard for the fly-half jersey.
England boss Martin Johnson will finalise his starting XV ton Wednesday lunchtime with both Mike Tindall and Chris Ashton firmly in the equation to be involved from the off at the Stade de France.
Tindall's inclusion in England's 22-man squad is little surprise given France selected the powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud - but it places Mathew Tait's position in grave doubt.
Tait could switch positions to replace Monye but England see him exclusively as a centre these days, leaving a Test debut for Ashton, the prolific Northampton winger, as the most likely option.
Elsewhere, flanker Lewis Moody is challenging for a recall 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."
Charnley inspires Wigan triumph 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Winger Josh Charnley scored a hat-trick of tries as Wigan bounced back from their shock opening home defeat by Huddersfield with a clinical 20-6 destruction of Stobart Super League champions Leeds. more
Spurs fans show Redknapp the love 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham's fans pleaded with Harry Redknapp to snub England and stay at White Hart Lane as the Spurs boss masterminded a brutal 5-0 hammering of Newcastle. more
France/Ireland clash called off 20:45, Feb 11 2012
Ireland's RBS 6 Nations clash with France has been postponed due to the weather conditions in Paris. more
Adebayor inspires Spurs romp 19:45, Feb 11 2012
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp ended an emotional week on a huge high as his team ruthlessly hammered Newcastle 5-0 at White Hart Lane. more
England claim narrow Italy victory 18:45, Feb 11 2012
England dug themselves out of a snow-hole in freezing Rome to beat Italy 19-15 with another charge-down try from Charlie Hodgson and Owen Farrell's perfect kicking display. more
Chelsea suffer defeat at Everton 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Steven Pienaar and Denis Stracqualursi struck as Everton piled on the pressure for Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas with a 2-0 victory. more
Late Henry winner rescues Arsenal 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Substitute Thierry Henry marked the final league game of his loan spell at Arsenal with a last-gasp winner to see off Sunderland 2-1. more
McArthur clinches Wigan victory 17:45, Feb 11 2012
James McArthur boosted Wigan's survival hopes with a dramatic goal which handed the Latics a 2-1 win over fellow Barclays Premier League strugglers Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. more
Williams inspires Quins win 17:45, Feb 11 2012
Harlequins returned to winning ways as winger Tom Williams helped orchestrate a 30-23 victory over London Irish which extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership. more
Fleming and Hutchins put GB ahead 16:45, Feb 11 2012
Great Britain moved to within one rubber of a fifth consecutive Davis Cup win under captain Leon Smith after Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Filip Polasek of Slovakia at Glasgow's Braehead Arena. more
Cold snap affects sporting weekend 15:45, Feb 11 2012
The cold snap continued to wreak further havoc with the sporting calendar on Saturday after the npower Championship clash between Peterborough and West Ham was postponed due to a frozen pitch along with a number of League One and League Two matches. more
Rangers ease to win at Dunfermline 15:45, Feb 11 2012
Lee McCulloch grabbed his first goal of the season as Rangers fought back from behind to claim a 4-1 win and deny Dunfermline their first home victory of the season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League. more
