Wilkinson retains out-half slot for Italy clash

JONNY WILKINSON has avoided the axe for England’s RBS Six Nations Championship clash against Italy in Rome on Sunday. The Newcastle out-half retains his place, despite producing a poor performance when England slumped 26-19 at home to Wales in their tournament opener.

But giant prop Andrew Sheridan has become England’s latest injury casualty. Sheridan, destroyer of the Australian front row during last October’s World Cup quarter-final, is replaced by Wasps forward Tim Payne, who wins his sixth cap.

England head coach Brian Ashton makes five changes following that crushing Twickenham setback – four of them enforced through injuries. Newcastle centre Jamie Noon takes over from Mike Tindall in an all-Falcons midfield alongside Wilkinson and Toby Flood.