Steve Borthwick ruled out so Lewis Moody named captain for Paris

Borthwick aggravated an old injury when he damaged knee ligaments in the 15-15 draw with Scotland on Saturday but a final decision to remove him from the team and bring in Louis Decon was made after a third specialist had examined the Saracens forward. Stade Francais lock Tom Palmer comes onto the bench.

The first verdict on Borthwick suggested he would not be fit for tomorrow's game at Stade de France but a second opinion was more hopeful prompting Martin Johnson to seek a final assessment.

With that specialist advising Borthwick not to play, Johnson named Deacon in the XV and appointed Moody, who was dropped for the Scotland game but has returned to play open-side flanker, captain.

Moody has been chosen ahead of World Cup-winning centre Mike Tindall and Harlequins No8 Nick Easter but another leading candidate — Jonny Wilkinson — could not be considered as the fly-half has been relegated to the replacements bench.

Team manager Johnson said: "It is a blow to lose Steve but we had plans in place once it became clear the injury may be serious. How long he is out has yet to be decided and we are in contact with his club Saracens.

"Lewis will be Lewis and do the job his way and he was a little surprised when I told him the news."

While the loss of Borthwick, their main line out jumper, is a major blow to England's chances it is even more worrying for Sarries who have hit a poor run of form and were hoping the return of their captain would help finish the season in style.

They have agreed to let Wikus van Heerden return early to South Africa to join the Lions in Super 14 on the basis that the stand-in captain's leadership would not be missed as Borthwick was coming back into the squad.

Meanwhile, Wilkinson today insisted being dropped for only the third time in his England career has made him even more determined to bounce back.

He said: "My obit must have been writted so many times it is in double figures by now but I don't see how it could ever be the end while I am playing rugby. This is a long journey and I am still trying to get the very best out of myself and that remains my only focus."