World record points scorer, Jonny Wilkinson, has been dropped from the England team for their final Six Nations match against Ireland on March 15th.

Jonny Wilkinson has been dropped from the England team for their final Six Nations match of the season against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday March 15th.

Youngster Replaces Wilkinson

In the only change to the side defeated 15-9 by Scotland in their last outing, coach Brian Ashton has left out fly-half Wilkinson in favour of young Wasps star, Danny Cipriani.

Wilkinson will take a seat on the bench, with Sale number 10 Charlie Hodgson omitted from the squad completely.

The only other occasion Wilkinson has been dropped was for Paul Grayson in the 1999 World Cup quarter-final against South Africa. That decision was primarily tactical, whereas this follows a series of below par performances by the England star.

The decision completes a remarkable change of fortune for Cirpiani. He was originally selected to play at full-back against Scotland, but was released from the squad for disciplinary reasons after being photographed leaving a London night club after midnight a few days before the game.

The 20 year old has won two caps as a replacement in the Six Nations tournament, but Saturday's game against Ireland will see him starting for the first time.

Vainikolo Retains Place

There had been conjecture that Lesley Vainikolo’s place was in jeopardy following disappointing recent performances. James Simpson-Daniel and Mark Cueto were muted as possible options but Ashton has chosen to retain the services of the explosive Tongan born winger.

Coach Ashton Under Pressure

Under Ashton’s guidance England have lost 10 of 21 tests, and a failure to progress since their World Cup final appearance has placed the media spotlight on him.

He will be hoping his decision to swap Wilkinson’s reliability for Cipriani’s inspiration will bring a much needed victory against Ireland this coming Saturday.

Exciting Climax to the Six Nations

Although Wilkinson’s exclusion will make the headlines, the real treat this Saturday will be the clash between Triple-Crown holders Wales and France, the only team able to deny them the grand slam.

France will need to defeat Wales at the Millennium Stadium by a minimum of twenty points to deny the hosts the championship, and a passionate home crowd will be hoping to see Warren Gatland’s side put the finishing touches to what has been a remarkable campaign by the Welsh team.

It should make for a tense, exciting afternoon in South Wales.

Full England Team

Backs:

Balshaw (Gloucester)

Sackey (Wasps)

Noon (Newcastle)

Flood (Newcastle)

Vainikolo (Gloucester)

Cipriani (Wasps)

Wigglesworth (Sale)

Forwards:

Sheridan (Sale)

Mears (Bath)

Vickery (Wasps- captain)

Shaw (Wasps)

Borthwick (Bath)

Croft (Leicester)

Lipman (Bath)

Easter (Harlequins)

Replacements:

Chuter (Leicester)

Stevens (Bath)

Kay (Leicester)

Haskell (Wasps)

Hodgson (London Irish)

Wilkinson (Newcastle)

Tait (Newcastle)

Sources

BBC Sport

Rugby Football Union