England tonight suffered a major blow when scrum-half Matt Dawson was ruled out of Saturday's RBS 6 Nations Championship showdown with France.
Dawson, who would have won his 48th cap in a key individual battle opposite French scrum-half and skipper Fabien Galthie, has not recovered from a calf injury.
The grim news was confirmed when he failed a fitness test today, having been unable to train with England all week.
Dawson's place in the starting line-up at Twickenham will be filled by Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall, who wins his 10th cap.
And the replacements' bench vacancy created by Gomarsall's promotion goes to 28-year-old uncapped Sale Sharks player Nick Walshe.
Walshe was among the England substitutes against Argentina in Buenos Aires last summer and is an experienced Premiership player. He was to have played for England against France in tomorrow night's A international at Northampton.
Dawson's injury further stretches England's scrum-half resources, with Kyran Bracken currently sidelined through concussion and another alternative - Harlequins' Nick Duncombe - also injured.
"Obviously, I wish Matt a speedy recovery," said England boss Clive Woodward.
"Andy Gomarsall will start on Saturday, with Nick Walshe joining the bench.
"Matt has been unable to train with us this week, but Andy has taken a full part in all the sessions, so we expect the disruption to be minimal.
"Martyn Wood will start the A game against France tomorrow night, and a bench replacement for England A will be announced tomorrow."
Gomarsall's last England start at Twickenham was almost six years ago - when England lost 23-20 against France, after leading by 14 points early in the second half.
Gomarsall, 28, has seen his career enjoy a resurgence since he joined Gloucester in 2000, which was confirmed last summer when Woodward selected him in the starting XV against Argentina.
England had also lost the services of prop Phil Vickery (back injury) for the French clash, but wing Ben Cohen resumed training yesterday after experiencing thigh muscle tightness earlier this week.
PA