Corry thrown back in as Robinson gambles

Gamble: Martin Corry is recalled for England

Andy Robinson gambled his reputation today by picking Martin Corry to play against Grand Slam winners France at Twickenham on Sunday.

The Leicester No8 has not played rugby for six weeks since dislocating his elbow.

It is a huge call by England's head coach, whose latest lineup shows five changes and one positional switch from the team beaten 11-9 by Wales last weekend.

Defeat by France would leave England staring at a possible 0-3 start to the Six Nations championship as the third match takes them to Dublin to tackle title favourites Ireland.

As a result of the poor showing in Cardiff, Robinson has rejected the youthful talent of 19-year-old Mathew Tait for the more limited skills of his Newcastle teammate Jamie Noon.

Olly Barkley, so effective as a replacement against Wales, has been handed the crucial inside centre role.

Harry Ellis, the combative scrum-half, has ousted Matt Dawson and Robinson's other changes see Phil Vickery replacing injured Julian White at prop, a fit Lewis Moody back in place of Andy Hazell at flanker and Joe Worsley moving from No8 to blind side flanker.

Robinson is clearly pinning his faith in the forward power of Leicester, the Zurich Premiership leaders, with four members of their formidable pack now wearing England colours. That would have been five if White had been fit. By choosing Corry at No8, it is logical to give Ellis the scrumhalf role to allow him to work with his Leicester team-mate. While it is prudent to look for club combinations, the rationale behind Robinson's other choices are open to question.

Given that form and fitness are the main criteria, how can he believe Corry is ready to face the full fury of a French team that has been given a hard time for performing poorly against Scotland last weekend? If Robinson was so impressed with Tait against Wales - despite bringing him off after an hour - why isn't he showing faith in the youngster?

The choice of Noon gives England a very limited look in midfield and suggests a narrowing of ambition rather than a commitment to bring out the best in strike runners like captain Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey and Mark Cueto.

It appears that trio will, once again, be asked to chase tactical kicks from Charlie Hodgson and Barkley and then the forwards will be asked to drive mauls and line-outs to fracture the French defence.

England (v France): J Robinson (Sale, capt), M Cueto (Sale), O Barkley (Bath), J Noon (Newcastle), J Lewsey (Wasps), C Hodgson (Sale), H Ellis, G Rowntree ( both Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucs), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leics), L Moody (Leics), J Worsley (Wasps), M Corry (Leics).
Replacements: A Titterrell, A Sheridan (both Sale), S Borthwick (Bath), A Hazell (Gloucs), M Dawson (Wasps), H Paul (Gloucs), B Cohen (Northampton)

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