MIKE CATT will captain England against France in Sunday's RBS 6 Nations match at Twickenham Stadium (3pm) The London Irish centre and Rugby World Cup winner takes over from the concussed Phil Vickery in one of eight changes of personnel from the side that started against Ireland at Croke Park.

England Head Coach Brian Ashton said: "I have known Mike Catt since 1992 when he came across to this country from South Africa and if there is one player who knows the way I want to develop this game it's him. He is full of experience and enthusiasm and I am putting my money on him to help deliver the type of game I want England to play.

"The captaincy is not a long-term thing and he knows that but I just feel that with the situation we are in we need somene with his experience. Martin Corry has a change of position and although he has played in the second row for England before, he'll have enough on his plate without the captaincy."

There are first starts for Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons) and Tom Rees (London Wasps) as well as the return of Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks) and a positional switch from wing to full-back for Josh Lewsey (London Wasps).

Vickery is still suffering from the symptoms of concussion he suffered playing for London Wasps on Sunday and is therefore ruled out of contention.

The scan on Jonny Wilkinson's right hamstring has revealed a strain and he will not be fit for Sunday.

Although there has been some improvement to Andy Farrell's acute lower back, the pain has not abated sufficiently for him to participate at the weekend.

Steve Borthwick's rib problem has not yet permitted him to train.

All will be assessed and treated over the next few days.

England 15 Josh Lewsey (London Wasps) 14 Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks) 13 Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby 12 Mike Catt (captain, London Irish) 11 David Strettle (NEC Harlequins) 10 Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons) 9 Harry Ellis (Leicester Tigers) 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps) 2 George Chuter (Leicester Tigers) 3 Julian White (Leicester Tigers) 4 Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers) 5 Tom Palmer (London Wasps) 6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps) 7 Tom Rees (London Wasps) 8 Nick Easter (NEC Harlequins) Replacements 16 Lee Mears (Bath Rugby) 17 Stuart Turner (Sale Sharks) 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers) 19 Magnus Lund (Sale Sharks) 20 Shaun Perry (Bristol Rugby) 21 Shane Geraghty (London Irish) 22 Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons)