Ashton axes five for Cup crunch

There are eight changes - one positional - from the side that performed so badly in losing 36-0 to South Africa.

Out go injury victims Jamie Noon and Jason Robinson while five players are dropped - Mike Catt, Andy Farrell, Shaun Perry, Mark Regan and Tom Rees - with Josh Lewsey switched from wing to the problem full-back position.

In come Jonny Wilkinson for his first game of the tournament, Olly Barkley, Andy Gomarsall, Mathew Tait, Mark Cueto, George Chuter and Joe Worsley.

The team is designed to give England much needed try-scoring power in Nantes for what has become effectively a knock-out match.

There is still no place for London Wasps captain Lawrence Dallaglio, and by dropping Catt it would appear Ashton is calling time on both their careers.

However, the head coach insisted: "They are still here with the squad and it is not the end for Mike or Lawrence."

The return of Wilkinson will lift spirits among England fans stunned by the inept performances in the win over the United States and the humbling defeat by South Africa.

Ashton expects Wilkinson and Barkley to make a radical difference, and he said: "For this game we have our best combination and they are our best distributors. I expect them to manage the game well and create the balance we haven't had so far.

"Jonny is very professional and he would not have made this game if he hadn't been so professional about his rehab on the damaged ankle.

"We also felt we needed Joe Worsley at No7 to do the kind of job he managed in the warm-up games.

"It is absolutely vital the players are not anxious and they should be energised about playing Test rugby.

"I had two meetings with them after the South Africa game and it was important to clear all the debris away after that match."

ENGLAND (v Samoa) Lewsey; Cueto, Tait, Barkley, Sackey; Wilkinson, Gomarsall; Sheridan, Chuter, Stevens; Shaw, Kay; Corry, Easter, Worsley.

Reps: Regan, Freshwater, Borthwick, Moody, Richards, Farrell, Hipkiss.