Sharples set for first England start

Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples will make his first England start in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France in place of the injured David Strettle.

England’s interim coach Stuart Lancaster was forced into making the late change after Strettle failed a fitness test on a sternum injury.

Sharples’ only previous Test appearance came as a second-half replacement in England’s World Cup warm-up win against Wales last August.

Lancaster said: “Charlie has trained with us throughout the tournament so he has spent a lot of time with the other guys.

“He almost made the World Cup squad and this is a great opportunity for him.

“It’s unfortunate for David but he has been fitness-tested by the medics this morning and is not 100% so it is a straight swap and Charlie is ready to go.”