England coach Brian Ashton believes the World Cup holder has slipped into the second division of world rugby nations.
On the day Jonny Wilkinson, team captain Phil Vickery and Andy Farrell were ruled out of Sunday's Six Nations game against France because of injuries, Ashton said his team had fallen behind teams like France and the New Zealand All Blacks.
"We need to start climbing the ladder again," Ashton said. "I said to the players yesterday that we are now in the second division of world rugby, and we need to get back into division one. We will be playing a division one side on Sunday."
Flyhalf Wilkinson has a hamstring problem, prop Vickery was concussed during Saturday's game for Wasps and center Farrell has pain in his lower back.
Ashton, whose team lost by a record 43-13 to Ireland in its last game, has made eight changes for the match at Twickenham. After three victories, defending champion France is chasing a Grand Slam while England is after its third victory in four championship matches.
"We didn't have a great day at the office in Dublin, and there were a lot of reasons for that, but we have got to try to bounce back," Ashton said. "The performance in Dublin wasn't acceptable at international level."
Ashton has recalled Mike Catt for his first appearance this season and the experienced and versatile 2003 World Cup player will captain the team from his position at inside center.
"Mike has done a very good job as captain for London Irish this season," Ashton said. "I have been involved with him since 1992 and, if there is any player in English rugby who knows how I want to develop the game, then it is Mike Catt."
"He is a player with a very wide range of skills, and he is a talismanic figure in many ways. He is very knowledgeable about the game, and he is excellent at talking to the players," Ashton said.
Wilkinson will have missed 31 of England's last 34 games after Sunday's match.
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