Wilkinson dropped by England

Jonny Wilkinson has been dropped for England's RBS 6 Nations clash against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

The fly-half superstar, who kicked England to 2003 World Cup glory, will be on the bench and replaced by 20-year-old Danny Cipriani.

Wilkinson, capped 69 times, pays the price following a poor display during England's 15-9 Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh three days ago.

Amazingly though, it is the solitary change as England head coach Brian Ashton gives his players a completely undeserved vote of confidence.

And Wilkinson will now be seen as something of a scapegoat, which is harsh on him in the extreme.

Gifted Cipriani is viewed as Wilkinson's heir-apparent in the England number 10 shirt.

Wilkinson was overlooked for England's 1999 World Cup quarter-final against South Africa in favour of Paul Grayson. That though, was viewed as a horses for courses selection, whereas on this occasion he has arguably been dropped purely on a loss of form.

Cipriani makes an immediate return to the side after being selected at full-back for the Scotland clash - then axed by Ashton when he was pictured leaving a London night-spot after midnight last Thursday.

Ashton's decision received widespread condemnation, with former England chief Sir Clive Woodward among those who criticised his handling of Cipriani.

But Cipriani is now given a belated first Test start in a side that remarkably shows no other switches following the Scotland shocker.