Jonny not on the spot as Wilkinson gets the boot
Jonny not on the spot as Wilkinson gets the boot
March 12, 2008 - 8:04AM Jonny not on the spot as Wilkinson gets the boot - rugbyheaven07.com.au
England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson was today dropped for Saturday's Six Nations clash at home to Ireland and replaced by Danny Cipriani in the only change in the starting XV.
Wilkinson, never previously dropped since making his debut 10 years ago, starts on the bench, with Cipriani, dropped for disciplinary reasons for last week's game against Scotland after initially being selected at fullback, making a belated first start in his usual position.
The only other change following the 15-9 defeat at Murrayfield is on the bench where back rower James Haskell returns from injury in place of Luke Narraway.
The overall selection was something of a surprise as coach Brian Ashton had been expected to make several changes in the wake of England's shocking display that has left them likely to finish outside the top two for the fifth successive season.
England: Iain Balshaw, Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Toby Flood, Lesley Vainikolo, Danny Cipriani, Richard Wigglesworth, Nick Easter, Michael Lipman, Tom Croft, Steve Borthwick, Simon Shaw, Phil Vickery (capt), Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan. Res: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Ben Kay, James Haskell, Paul Hodgson, Mathew Tait, Jonny Wilkinson
