Skip to content

Dylan Hartley, Mike Brown miss out for England's Six Nations clash v France

Dylan Hartley of England
Image: Dylan Hartley has failed to recover from a calf injury to start against France

Captain Dylan Hartley will miss England's Six Nations clash against France in Paris on Saturday due to a calf injury, while Mike Brown drops to the bench.

Saracens hooker Jamie George replaces the Northampton Saints man, while elsewhere, full-back Brown is replaced by Elliot Daly, who immediately returns to the starting XV on the left wing following his injury return; Anthony Watson makes the positional switch to full-back.

Inside-centre Owen Farrell will captain the side in Hartley's absence, while loosehead prop Mako Vunipola has been named as vice captain.

Elliot Daly of England
Image: Elliot Daly comes straight back into the team after his ankle complaint

In midfield, Ben Te'o earns a recall as Bath centre Jonathan Joseph drops to the replacements bench.

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), James Haskell (Wasps), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) and Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) all also come onto the bench.

Rivalry weekend: Rugby's Le Crunch
Rivalry weekend: Rugby's Le Crunch

To mark Rivalry Weekend on Sky Sports we're looking at some of sport's greatest rivalries, including rugby's Le Crunch - England v France!

"This game is about the opportunity for the team to move forward and we want a response from the players this week," said England head coach Eddie Jones.

Mike Brown of England touches down for the first try against Samoa
Image: Mike Brown drops down to the replacements bench

"Against France we want to be brutal and aggressive on the gain line and to play with a great tactical discipline.

Also See:

"Owen [Farrell] will be very proud to be captain but at the same time he is disappointed for Dylan [Hartley] to miss out through injury and he knows the position of captain carries a lot of responsibility.

England centre Owen Farrell has a leg injury
Image: Owen Farrell will captain England in Paris on Saturday

"We need to make sure we have one strong voice among the forward leaders and Mako [Vunipola] has been doing some great work behind the scenes and will step up and take that on officially against France."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Will Greenwood says England need 'different kinds of leaders' as they prepare to face France this weekend

England team to play France: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Jonny May, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Danny Care; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Nathan Hughes

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 James Haskell, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Jonathan Joseph, 23 Mike Brown.

Around Sky