Simon Shaw, ignored by England during the Six Nations until now, is expected to replace Nick Kennedy in the team to face France at Twickenham on Sunday.

Team manager Martin Johnson is ready to opt for Shaw's ball carrying and greater phsyical presence alongside captain Steve Borthwick, with the team officially announced tomorrow.
Shaw was left out of the first three games because of Kennedy's greater line-out threat. But his power has been missed, although Kennedy will be unlucky to lose out as Borthwick is the least effective lock.

Shane Geraghty, the London Irish utility back whose fledgling career has been blighted by injury, suffered a broken hand against London Wasps on Sunday and will miss England's remaining Six Nations matches against France and Scotland.

The 22-year-old, ruled out of the 2007 World Cup by a hamstring injury, missed last year's Six Nations with knee ligament damage and broke a bone in his hand in the autumn.

Geraghty was pressing for a place among the England replacements for Sunday and his absence opens the way for Danny Cipriani to be considered for the match squad.

Geraghty's latest injury has huge implications for Irish as they bid for a play-off finish in the Premiership. They have gone six games without a win and need all of their England players on duty.

England have called up Gloucester's Olly Barkley to the elite squad and he offers team manager Martin Johnson another goal-kicking option.

Meanwhile, Serge Betsen, the London Wasps captain and former France flanker, cannot understand how England have become a disciplinary basket case this season as they prepare to face Les Bleus.

Betsen, who collected a six-week ban for kicking England's Matt Dawson in the 2003 World Cup semi-final, said: “It is bizarre that England are now the team getting so many yellow cards and penalties. Maybe they don't know who exactly is the leader of the team.

“In contrast, we now have a French team that is the opposite to previous years and does not give away so many penalties.

“The discipline and mentality is good with the French players and, maybe, it is from the time that Bernard Laporte was coach, because he did well to make improvements in that area. Discipline will be important against England.”