Wilko dropped

after an electric run of 19 tries in 25 games for Northampton this season.

Tindall, who only recently returned from four months out with a hamstring injury, has been recalled to combat the destructive French centre Mathieu Bastareaud.

"Mike coming into the centre is a tough call on Taity, who hasn't done much wrong but Mike brings a physical edge to our midfield," said Johnson.

"And Ben's form has been so good we have included him at full-back. Delon has not been playing as well as he can. That was a good call for Ben, who is playing very well.

"Chris Ashton's form has been very good."

Up front, Lewis Moody has returned at openside flanker with Joe Worsley switching to blindside and James Haskell moving to the bench.

Simon Shaw has recovered from a shoulder injury which kept him out of the Scotland game and starts in the second row, but there remain doubts over the fitness of captain Steve Borthwick who missed training with a knee injury.

England has beaten France in each of their last three meetings, including two games in Paris - the 2007 World Cup semi-final and the 2008 Six Nations.

"There is pressure on France, they want to win the Grand Slam. They have been the form team and they will want to finish it off," said Johnson.

"Our motivation is not so much to stop them but we have pride every time we play. This is a huge game for England. Going to Paris is big-time rugby."