Lewsey misses out

World Cup winner Josh Lewsey has been left out of the England team for Saturday's RBS 6 Nations finale against Wales in Cardiff.

Full-back Lewsey, who has won 47 caps, is replaced in the number 15 shirt by Sale Sharks wing Mark Cueto.

It will be Cueto's first England appearance since the final autumn Test against South Africa, having been laid low by injuries which stalled his Six Nations hopes.

Cueto, scorer of 13 tries in 18 appearances for England, has never previously started an international as full-back for his country.

But he has featured there in club colours, with Lewsey paying the price for an ineffective display during the 26-18 victory over championship leaders France two days ago.

One other change from the French clash sees Newcastle centre Mathew Tait taking over from Mike Tindall, who was admitted to hospital on Sunday evening suffering from a suspected knee infection.

With Tait promoted to the starting line-up, his place on the bench goes to his Newcastle colleague Jamie Noon.

Lewsey, despite some impressive defensive displays during the autumn internationals, has failed to impose himself in a Six Nations tournament that sees England retaining an outside chance of landing the title.

The 30-year-old was guilty of a couple of glaring blunders against France, and England head coach Brian Ashton has now turned to the powerful Cueto, who is a proven finisher at the highest level.

He would undoubtedly have featured for England earlier in the tournament had it not been for injuries, but he now has a chance to stake a claim for full-back duties on a regular basis as the count down continues for this year's World Cup.