BAGSHOT, England (Reuters) - England captain Mike Tindall has been ruled out of their Six Nations grand slam decider against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday with an ankle injury sustained against Scotland.
Matt Banahan, who replaced Tindall for the second half in last week's win over Scotland, will start at outside centre in an otherwise unchanged side.
David Strettle takes Banahan's place on the bench and number eight Nick Easter will captain the team.
Tindall, himself a stand-in for injured skipper Lewis Moody, had led England to four successive wins, the first time they have done that since the 2007 World Cup.
Banahan produced an impressive powerful display after replacing him and England will not be necessarily weakened by his involvement.
The switch is the first change in England's backline in the tournament and that continuity has been an important part of their progress as they bid for their first title since 2003.
Replacements Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson are now the only survivors from the team who triumphed 42-6 in Ireland eight years ago to complete the grand slam.
That was the only time England have won in Dublin this century and they have lost six of their last seven games against the Irish.
Defeat on Saturday would be unlikely to deprive them of the Six Nations title. That would only happen if Wales also won in Paris and the two results overturned England's 42-point differential.
Matt Banahan, who replaced Tindall for the second half in last week's win over Scotland, will start at outside centre in an otherwise unchanged side.
David Strettle takes Banahan's place on the bench and number eight Nick Easter will captain the team.
Tindall, himself a stand-in for injured skipper Lewis Moody, had led England to four successive wins, the first time they have done that since the 2007 World Cup.
Banahan produced an impressive powerful display after replacing him and England will not be necessarily weakened by his involvement.
The switch is the first change in England's backline in the tournament and that continuity has been an important part of their progress as they bid for their first title since 2003.
Replacements Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson are now the only survivors from the team who triumphed 42-6 in Ireland eight years ago to complete the grand slam.
That was the only time England have won in Dublin this century and they have lost six of their last seven games against the Irish.
Defeat on Saturday would be unlikely to deprive them of the Six Nations title. That would only happen if Wales also won in Paris and the two results overturned England's 42-point differential.
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