Shaw returns to England rugby team

Simon Shaw was recalled by England for his first Test start under Martin Johnson in one of three changes made to the side for Sunday's Six Nations international against France at Twickenham.

The Wasps lock replaced Nick Kennedy in the second row while in-form flanker Tom Croft took over from James Haskell in the team announced by Johnson at England's training base here Wednesday.

Johnson, who resisted the urge to make wholesale changes from the side that lost 14-13 to tournament leaders Ireland in Dublin last time out - England's second straight reverese after their defeat by defending champions Wales - was forced into a switch in his back division.

Ugo Monye replaced wing Paul Sackey, who injured his calf against Ireland with Kennedy and Haskell dropping down to the bench.

Meanwhile, veteran prop Phil Vickery and replacement scrum-half Danny Care both retained their places despite sin-binnings in Dublin which took England's yellow card count to a punishing 10 in four matches.

The 35-year-old Shaw, renowned as a powerful lock, came off the bench against world champions South Africa in November to win his 50th cap, having made his debut back in 1996.

France boast a powerful pack and Johnson said Shaw had been selected with this match in mind.

"Nick Kennedy is a little unlucky, it's just about balance. He's a different player, it's the same with James and Tom Croft," he told reporters.

Johnson though insisted he'd not contemplated dropping much criticised England captain Steve Borthwick from the second-row.

"He has done and is doing a fantastic job."

Shaw's first call-up into the England squad came as a replacement for the injured Johnson on the 1994 tour of South Africa. But he then spent much of his early Test career playing second fiddle to the Leicester great.

"You know what you are getting," Johnson said of Shaw. "He's been around a long time and he's a big, strong man."

Johnson made it clear that even though Sackey was injured he would have been dropped on form grounds. "We don't think he's been at his best during the tournament."

Turning to England's disciplinary problems, Johnson joked: "We haven't given many penalties away in training."

But, having met with Australian referee Stuart Dickinson, who will be in charge on Sunday, he added on a serious note: "He's a very experienced, very sensible referee.

"We said to the players we can't feel like we are getting a rough deal," explained Johnson, whose side have been working with English referee Wayne Barnes in a bid to cut down their penalty count.

"It sounds simple when you talk about it but you've got to do it in the heat of the game. We've got to have guys who trust their defence and do not chase lost causes around the breakdown area."

Nevertheless he retained Care despite calls for the scrum-half to be dropped after his shove on Ireland prop Marcus Horan.

"Danny made a mistake, as did others and there were dire consequences.

"I don't think he'll ever do anything like that again."

France, who named their side earlier Wednesday, are back in contention for their third Six Nations title in four years after defeating Wales 21-16 in Paris last time out.

England, however, are currently fourth in the table having only managed to beat basement Italy so far in the tournament.

"Their forwards are very dynamic carriers and their backline is very strong and powerful," Johnson said of France. "Defensively, we may need to be better than we were against Ireland."

England team to play France in Sunday's Six Nations international at Twickenham (1500GMT kick-off)

(15-1)

Delon Armitage; Mark Cueto, Mike Tindall, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye; Toby Flood, Harry Ellis; Nick Easter, Joe Worsley, Tom Croft; Simon Shaw, Steve Borthwick (capt); Phil Vickery, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Julian White, Nick Kennedy, James Haskell, Danny Care, Andy Goode, Mathew Tait