Jonny Wilkinson has been dropped for England's final Six Nations game against France on Saturday as coach Martin Johnson made six changes from the side that laboured to a 15-15 draw with Scotland last weekend.

Wilkinson, who went off after 44 minutes at Murrayfield, after taking a blow to the head, is replaced at flyhalf by Toby Flood but remains among the replacements.

Winger Ugo Monye, another to receive a head injury against the Scots, is replaced by Northampton's uncapped Chris Ashton, the Premiership's leading try-scorer, while fullback Delon Armitage, who has struggled for form throughout the tournament, gives way for Ben Foden to make his first start following some lively contributions from the bench.

Outside centre Mathew Tait, hailed as England's great creative hope when recalled by Johnson at the start of the tournament, is dropped again as 31-year-old World Cup winner Mike Tindall makes his first appearance in a year.

In the pack, Simon Shaw has recovered from a shoulder injury and comes back in place of Louis Deacon, while Lewis Moody, dropped against Scotland, returns at openside flanker.

Joe Worsley switches to blindside, with James Haskell dropping to the bench.

Lock Steve Borthwick will again lead the team, having overcome a knee injury.

The backline changes appear to be a belated recognition by Johnson of his team's dire lack of attacking intent, and Wilkinson is the highest-profile casualty.

It is only the third time in his England career he has been dropped because of form rather than injury.

Wilkinson has struggled to take control of games in the current Six Nations and has also been uncharacteristically wayward with his goalkicking.

Flood, who replaced him in the second half at Murrayfield, has looked marginally more inventive but he, too, has struggled with his kicking and missed a crucial late penalty on Saturday.

Northampton's Foden has looked to be England's most exciting player in his cameos and deserves his start ahead of Armitage, who has failed to reproduce last season's form.

Likewise Ashton, who was brought into the training squad at the start of the tournament but has yet to feature.