England were today braced for an 11th hour injury blow ahead of their Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship showdown with France. Leicester prop Darren Garforth is on red alert to replace injured Gloucester tighthead Phil Vickery against the title favourites at Stade de France tomorrow. Garforth, 33, joined the England squad yesterday, being summoned to their Chantilly training base after Vickery suffered a calf strain during scrummaging practice. "I have to say that Vickery is doubtful and I would say that Garforth will be starting tomorrow", said England coach Clive Woodward. A decision on Vickery conditions will not be known until tomorrow.
Uncapped Saracens prop Julian White is also involved in the equation if Vickery has to admit defeat. White will be flown from England 'A' team duties in Blagnac, south-west France, later tonight and should Garforth start then he will go on to the replacements' bench with Wasps flanker Joe Worsley dropping out. The experienced Garforth has won 24 caps, making his Test debut against Wales three years ago and recently reached a significant double Leicester landmark with 150 league games and 250 first-team appearances.
