Vickery on bench for Tongan clash

PARIS, France -- England coach Brian Ashton has decided against recalling captain Phil Vickery to his starting line-up for Friday's must-win Rugby World Cup clash with Tonga at Parc des Princes.

The front-rower will be on the bench after serving a two-match suspension, so Matt Stevens will keep his place at tighthead prop.

Flanker Martin Corry, who scored two tries in the 44-22 win over Samoa, will remain as skipper for the Pool A finale, which will decide which team goes through to the quarterfinals as runners-up behind South Africa.

Vickery is joined on the bench by fellow 2003 World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio, who again will play second fiddle to No. 8 Nick Easter.

Ashton has made two changes to the forward pack, with lock Steve Borthwick coming in for Simon Shaw and Lewis Moody starting at openside flanker instead of Joe Worsley.

The back line is unchanged from the Samoa game, with Mathew Tait starting at center despite being taken off in favor of Dan Hipkiss.

England will seek to avoid becoming the first reigning champion to be knocked out in the group stage, and clinch a last-eight clash with Pool B winners Australia.

England team: J Lewsey; P Sackey, M Tait, O Barkley, M Cueto; J Wilkinson, A Gomarsall; A Sheridan, G Chuter, M Stevens, S Borthwick, B Kay, M Corry (capt), L Moody, N Easter.

Replacements: L Mears, P Vickery, L Dallaglio, J Worsley, P Richards, A Farrell, D Hipkiss.

Meanwhile, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has made two starting changes for Sunday's showdown with Pool D leaders Argentina in Paris.

Full-back Geordan Murphy is recalled after Girvan Dempsey suffered a shoulder injury during Friday's 25-3 defeat to France, while Denis Hickie replaces Andrew Trimble on the left wing.

Trimble displaces Gavin Duffy on the bench.

O'Sullivan is waiting on the fitness of Jerry Flannery (shoulder stinger) and Rory Best (dislocated thumb) before he confirms who will start at hooker.

Fly-half Ronan O'Gara, who has been targeted by the media with allegations about his private life, will retain his place despite missing training for the last two days due to a calf injury.

Ireland team: G Murphy; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll (capt), G D'Arcy, D Hickie; R O'Gara, E Reddan; M Horan, TBC, J Hayes, D O'Callaghan, P O'Connell, S Easterby, D Wallace, D Leamy.

Replacements: TBC, S Best, M O'Kelly, N Best, I Boss, P Wallace, A Trimble. E-mail to a friend

All About Rugby • Rugby Football Union