Axe looms for World Cup stars

By Matt Majendie
BBC Sport in Paris

After a string of woeful performances in the Six Nations, England - management and players alike - have made it clear the time has come for change.

Sir Clive Woodward will use June's tour to Australia and New Zealand to blood new faces in the international set-up - aside from Chris Jones and Olly Barkley, who both successfully debuted during the tournament.

It's been a disappointing Six Nations for England

In the wake of the Ireland defeat, moments against Wales and one of the worst halves seen by an England team in recent memory against France, such changes cannot come soon enough.

So many of England's established faces failed to live up to their reputations it is difficult to know where to start.

If anything, only the back three of Josh Lewsey, Ben Cohen and Jason Robinson, along with Danny Grewcock and Richard Hill did their reputations no lasting damage in the tournament.

But there will be some nervous faces when the time comes for Woodward to announce his party of tourists.

At centre, Will Greenwood may be more nervous than most.

One of the mainstays in the Woodward era - of whom the England coach says there is "no other outside centre in the world I'd pick ahead of him" - Greenwood's form has dropped off alarmingly.

The Harlequins runner produced his worst game of the Six Nations against France and was substituted.

Greenwood's trademark incisive runs had virtually disappeared and he was no longer creating the space desperately needed for a back three as exciting as England's.

England desperately need to regroup now

The man who replaced him, Mike Catt, did his England future no harm with a stunning performance, which turned the game on its head.

Although in the twilight of his career at the age of 32, his experience could work wonders for any new faces in the England backs on tour.

But there are others, too, who desperately need to raise their game if they are to avoid the selection guillotine.

Hooker Steve Thompson's line-out throwing against Ireland was farcical.

Likewise the men around him did little to instill confidence.

Phil Vickery looks to be carrying unwanted pounds and is both short of form and fitness, while Trevor Woodman is fast becoming the bane of the England backs.

Against France he repeatedly popped up in midfield, generally slowing down the attack or alternatively unleashing some torrid passes.

In defence, he was little better and proved a chief contributor to England's growing penalty count.

Dallaglio criticises defence

Captain Lawrence Dallaglio had his moments of drabness too, both as a player and a captain.

But, to his credit, he managed to turn that around against Wales as well as inspiring his team-mates to raise their game in the second half in the Stade de France.

Olly Barkley's form in the last two games looks to have called time on Paul Grayson's England career, even if the Northampton playmaker was typically assured when he played.

At lock, Danny Grewcock did as much as anyone to fill the chasm left by retired captain Martin Johnson, and Richard Hill's work-rate continues to show no signs of diminishing.

As ridiculous as it sounds, where Woodward takes England next will have a huge bearing on the defence of their World Cup title in 2007.

And as has already made evident, by casting adrift Leicester's Neil Back, Woodward will not - and cannot - allow loyalty to his World Cup stars to stand in the way of progress.