Wilkinson returns for England

England coach Brian Ashton has made seven changes including one positional switch for the crucial clash with Samoa in Pool A in Nantes on Saturday.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson returns after missing the first two games with an ankle injury, while Josh Lewsey moves from wing to full-back.

Olly Barkley, Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Joe Worsley and George Chuter also come in after the 36-0 loss to South Africa.

Shaun Perry and Mike Catt drop from the 22, while Martin Corry stays captain.

Wilkinson was injured in training before the World Cup and was replaced by the impressive Barkley for the opening win over USA.

But Barkley also picked up a training ground injury and Ashton opted for the then 35-year-old veteran Catt at fly-half against South Africa with Andy Farrell named as goal-kicker.

Wilkinson will now resume kicking duties with the fit-again Barkley playing at inside centre in place of Jamie Noon, who sustained tournament-ending knee ligament damage against the Springboks.

Lewsey's switch to full-back comes after Jason Robinson limped off with a hamstring injury late on against South Africa, though the former skipper could return for the final pool match with Tonga.

Cueto takes Lewsey's spot on the wing, outside centre Tait replaces Farrell, who drops to the bench, and Gomarsall plays instead of Perry at scrum-half.

Up front, Worsley is selected as an open-side flanker instead of Tom Rees, while Chuter plays at hooker in place of Mark Regan.

England team to face Samoa: Lewsey, Sackey, Tait, Barkley, Cueto, Wilkinson, Gomarsall; Sheridan, Chuter, Stevens, Shaw, Kay, Corry (capt), Worsley, Easter.

Replacements: Regan, Freshwater, Borthwick, Moody, Richards, Farrell, Hipkiss.

Source: BBC Sport