Jonny Wilkinson has been dropped for England's final Six Nations game against France on Saturday as manager 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 in the squad named yesterday 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 full-back 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 for 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.

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.

England are likely to finish third in the standings whatever the result in Paris while France should win their first title since 2007 even if they were to suffer a surprise defeat.