England boss Andy Robinson has rejected any notion that captain Martin Corry could be undermined by having been substituted twice during this season's RBS Six Nations Championship.

Corry made way for Lawrence Dallaglio during the games against Wales and Scotland, and such a scenario could again unfold in France on Sunday.

While Corry is retained as No 8 and captain, Dallaglio must once more kick his heels on the bench - knowing there is every chance he will be involved at some stage of the action, replacing either Corry, Joe Worsley or Lewis Moody.

Robinson has come under fire from many pundits for taking Corry off, but the head coach insists it has been for the greater good of the team.

"There are no pre-conceived ideas," said Robinson, who has made two changes for the trip to Paris - recalling 33-year-old World Cupwinner Matt Dawson at scrum-half and replacing Andrew Sheridan with fit-again Bath prop Matt Stevens.

"Against Scotland, we were losing 12-9 - and with the impact I felt Lawrence had given in the previous two games, that was the decision I had to make.

"I wasn't trying to undermine Martin's leadership in any shape or form.

"I felt for 65 minutes he performed well. But we were 12-9 down, and decisions have got to be made. I felt it was right to make that decision at that time in that game.

"Martin is the captain - he is a very strong captain - and those decisions have got to be made during games."

Dawson makes his first Six Nations start since England were beaten by Wales in Cardiff last year - while Stevens starts in his more favoured position of loosehead, having recovered from a shoulder injury which sidelined him from the Edinburgh mission. Leicester's Julian White is retained as a rock-solid tighthead scrummager.

"Harry Ellis has performed really well for the team, but I was targeting Matt (Dawson) to be involved in a starting position for the French game," said Robinson.

"This is really horses for courses for this game. Matt's greater experience, his ability to control the forwards - which I think is slightly better than Harry's at present because of his experience - meant I felt it was the right choice.

"I don't get concerned about age. Matt has been performing well, and I have got every confidence in him."

Dawson, who will win his 76th cap, was England captain when they last beat France in Paris six years ago - and his experience will be critical as Robinson's side look for a victory which would keep alive their title hopes.

"I don't think the ship needs steadying," insisted Dawson.

"We had a bad day at the office against Scotland - and previous to that, we were very happy with the way we were going.

"I am enjoying my rugby - and while I have got an opportunity and while they [England management] want me around in the squad, I want to be pushing for a spot.

"Let's not get hung-up about age. There are a lot of players out there between 30 and 34 playing international rugby; if they are good enough they are good enough."

If England are to thwart the French they will need to be far more clinical in taking their chances than they were against Scotland.

France have blown hot and cold during this season's tournament. But recent history suggests they get it right when England arrive in the French capital, and the world champions will travel as clear underdogs.

"We have got to be in their faces and stop them playing," said Robinson.

"If you drop off your concentration for any moment then they can carve you apart.

"Tactically, we have got to be very astute and we have got to squeeze the life out of the French - stop the band playing and hear the crowd whistling, getting on their backs.

"The sooner we hear that then we know the team will be winning.

"Irrespective of what French team turns up, it is about England."

Apart from handing Dawson a call-up and re-instating Stevens, who is unquestionably England's best all-round prop at present, Robinson resisted any temptation to make further alterations.

There will be relief in the England camp that lock Danny Grewcock was warned rather than cited following his stamp on American international Mike Hercus during last Saturday's Powergen Cup semi-final between Bath and Llanelli Scarlets - but Leicester hooker George Chuter has lost his place on the bench.

Chuter was cited for a stamp on Wasps hooker Raphael Ibanez, who is set to face England on Sunday, during Leicester's 22-17 defeat semi-final defeat. He now faces a disciplinary hearing next week.

With Chuter unavailable - he has been suspended by his club until the hearing takes place - Bath's Lee Mears will provide bench cover for Steve Thompson. ..SUPL: