Shaw gets France chance
Simon Shaw will make his first England start under Martin Johnson after being named as one of three changes in the team to play France in Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations clash at Twickenham.
The veteran Wasps lock, 35, has replaced Nick Kennedy in the second row while Leicester’s in-form flanker Tom Croft has edged out James Haskell at blindside.
Harlequins winger Ugo Monye returns to the side in place of Paul Sackey, who is unavailable after suffering a calf injury in England’s 14-13 defeat to Ireland.
Danny Care, who was sin-binned for a barge on Marcus Horan at a crucial stage in Dublin, has survived calls for his head and retains his place on the bench.
Shaw’s only appearances for England since Johnson took charge were off the bench against Australia and South Africa in the autumn.
While Kennedy could be considered unfortunate to miss out, Shaw brings added ballast to England’s second row against a powerful French forward unit.
Croft, who starred for Leicester against Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership last weekend, offers England an additional lineout option in the absence of Kennedy.
Gloucester loose forward Luke Narraway has dropped out of the squad altogether after earning a place on the bench against Ireland at Croke Park.
Monye, who started all four of England’s autumn Tests, suffered a back injury on the eve of the Six Nations and returns to win his fifth cap in place of Sackey.
