Walsh ruled out of Twickers clash

REFEREE Steve Walsh will miss the England v France Six Nations match next Saturday due to a knee injury.

The New Zealand-born whistler, who now plies his trade out of Australia, has been withdrawn from the Twickenham showdown to concentrate on his rehabilitation from a cartilage injury.

Walsh is now back in full training, but has been replaced by Ireland’s George Clancy.

However, with the World Cup rapidly approaching, he will be given a further opportunity of time in the middle during the Six Nations.

He will replace Ireland’s Alain Rolland for the Scotland v Italy fixture at Murrayfield on March 19.