Dawson (left) - handed captaincy for Ireland clash.

By PA Sport Staff

Matt Dawson has been handed the England captaincy for next Saturday's Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship clash against Ireland in Dublin.

The Lions and Northampton scrum-half takes over from Martin Johnson, who has been ruled out with a broken hand.

Dawson's promotion is no surprise given that he has done the job previously.

He was at the helm when England blew their Grand Slam chances against Scotland at Murrayfield 18 months ago - Johnson also missed that match through injury - and also led England on their 1998 tour of the southern hemisphere.

Given that Lawrence Dallaglio is sidelined while he continues his recovery from knee surgery, then Dawson comfortably headed a dwindling list of alternative captains.

England boss Clive Woodward could have turned to the likes of 92-times capped prop Jason Leonard or back-row men Richard Hill or Neil Back, but Dawson's appointment was pretty much certain.

Leicester and Lions flanker Back will be Dawson's vice-captain for a game that will give England their first Grand Slam since 1995 if they win.

Woodward has moved quickly to end speculation about Johnson's successor for the Lansdowne Road fixture, making the announcement within hours of his players assembling in Dublin.

Dawson, a feisty customer who has represented his country on more than 40 occasions will lead from the front, and today's events continue a rollercoaster year that saw him cause controversy on this summer's Lions' tour of Australia when he publicly criticised the management in a newspaper article.

Dawson was fined and he also apologised to the management and his squad colleagues following that outburst, but he now finds himself at the helm for a game that England simply must win after two successive Grand Slam failures.

Wales, through Scott Gibbs and Neil Jenkins, denied them at the final hurdle in a Wembley thriller two years ago, then Scotland came up trumps to sink English hopes the season before last.

England were roundly criticised for not changing their tactics to a wet-weather approach as the Edinburgh heavens opened, with Dawson copping much of that flak as skipper.

Woodward though, knows all about his leadership qualities, and they are again sure to be tested amid the pressure cooker atmosphere of a sold-out Lansdowne Road.

This development also strengthens the growing belief that Woodward will offer another controversial member of the Lions party, Austin Healey, a wing berth, with Dan Luger occupying the other wide role and summer sensation Jason Robinson getting his first England start at full-back.

However, Woodward must first find out whether he will lose a third injured Lion.

With Johnson and back-row giant Lawrence Dallaglio already out, tight-head prop Phil Vickery might now join them after hurting his knee during Gloucester's Premiership victory over Harlequins two days ago.

"At the moment, it is not looking good," said 21-cap Vickery, whose right knee was strapped following prolonged first-half treatment but he finished the game as Gloucester triumphed 33-7.

"I was in agony on Sunday and it got worse as the day went on. Naturally, it is very disappointing."

Woodward is certain to require urgent fitness bulletins, not only on Vickery, but fellow prop Julian White and Leicester forward Martin Corry.

White, the obvious replacement if Vickery is sidelined, sat out Bristol's league defeat at Newcastle on Sunday because of a knee problem, so Woodward could even find himself starting a critical week by summoning front-row reinforcements.

Leicester's vastly-experienced Darren Garforth would fit the bill should Vickery and White both miss the boat, although there is an option in switching Jason Leonard from loosehead and drafting in another Tigers prop, in-form Graham Rowntree.

Ben Kay, Steve Borthwick and Simon Shaw are all vying to fill Johnson's place.

Wasps centre Josh Lewsey has added to Woodward's problems by pulling out of the squad with a broken jaw sustained in Sunday's game with London Irish.

Woodward will be forced to rely on Mike Catt and Will Greenwood, both of whom have just recovered from long-term injuries, to spearhead England's midfield in Lewsey's absence.

Lewsey, who impressed on England's tour to Canada and America, said: "I can't believe this has happened with the internationals coming up.

"In the end I think I was actually quite lucky because I sustained the injury running into Mark Denney's elbow and then received another knock on the head soon after.

"The Wasps physio took the decision out of my hands and told me I had to come off.

"The jaw is quite secure on one side but another knock would have meant I would have to sit around wired up for six weeks.

"The injury is quite sore and the swelling won't go down for another week.

"At the time I thought I had only bruised my jaw but the injury is unfortunately part of playing rugby."