No return for Vickery

England World Cup captain Phil Vickery has failed to reclaim a place in the starting line-up for Friday night's tournament eliminator against Tonga at Parc des Princes.

Wasps prop Vickery is available again after serving a two-match suspension for tripping United States centre Paul Emerick during England's Pool A opener.

But head coach Brian Ashton has decided to retain Bath's Matt Stevens at tight-head, with flanker Martin Corry remaining as skipper.

Vickery has to be content with a place on the bench, where he will be joined by fellow World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio.

Ashton has made two changes from the side that accounted for Samoa 44-22, a victory that kept England in the hunt for a quarter-final place.

Bath lock Steve Borthwick replaces Simon Shaw to form a second-row partnership with Ben Kay, while Leicester flanker Lewis Moody is handed the number seven shirt instead of Joe Worsley.

Dallaglio, who has not featured for England since the USA encounter, again fails to dislodge Harlequins number eight Nick Easter, although he is likely to have a part to play off the bench.

Ashton, meanwhile, has resisted any temptation to tinker with a back division boosted by Jonny Wilkinson's return from injury in the Samoa clash.

Newcastle centre Mathew Tait was thought to be under pressure for his place from Leicester's Dan Hipkiss, but Tait is retained alongside midfield colleague Olly Barkley.

England go into the Tonga game level on points with the Pacific islanders.