Martin Johnson is out of England's Six Nations showdown with France in Paris on February 19 after he suffered mild concussion. Second row forward Johnson, England's captain during last year's World Cup, was hurt when he collided with Leicester team-mate Craig Joiner in a training ground accident yesterday. He was detained in hospital overnight before being discharged this morning. The 29-year-old is not seriously injured but players who are concussed have to miss games for a statutory three-week period and thus will only be fit to return shortly before the Twickenham clash with Wales on March 4. It is the latest setback for Johnson and England in what has been an injury-plagued period for both the player and his country.
Fellow lock Danny Grewcock is out of the France game following a groin operation, while Dan Luger is almost certain to miss the entire championship with a pelvic injury. Simon Shaw and Garath Archer did well against Ireland and they are likely to retain their places in Paris, while Matt Dawson looks certain to captain the team again.
Johnson has won 53 caps and when he missed last week's game against Ireland it broke a run of 24 successive Championship appearances.
