GLOUCESTER lost a second captain in two weeks ahead of the LV= Cup final yesterday when Mike Tindall was called up to the England team for the final Six Nations clash against France.

With Gareth Delve on the Wales bench against Italy on Saturday, Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath is left searching for a new skipper for the clash with Northampton.

England manager Martin Johnson cited a need to beef up his midfield for picking Gloucester joint skipper Tindall over Mathew Tait, who has started every game of the Six Nations so far.

With the presence of centre Mathieu Bastareaud in the French line-up a concern for the England set-up, Tindall's inclusion appears to be more of a defensive decision than an attacking one.

"Mike coming into the centre is a tough call on Taity, who hasn't done much wrong," Johnson said.

"But Mike brings a physical edge to our midfield."

With Tindall missing, Tim Molenaar and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu are nailed on to start at centre for Gloucester, the pair who have forged a fine partnership since Christmas.

Full-back Olly Morgan is also in line to return after injuring himself in England training last week which forced him out of the semi-final win over Cardiff.

But he will have to oust Freddie Burns, the youngster who deputised and scored a crucial interception try just before half-time in the Cardiff City Stadium.

Gloucester are likely to field three contenders for the captaincy, with Peter Buxton the only man to do it this season.

Alex Brown is another senior member of the squad, although he has enough on his plate with calling the line-out.

Hooker Olivier Azam did the job on more than one occasion last season.

Meanwhile, Northampton's preparations for Sunday were also dealt a blow with Chris Ashton included on the wing for England.

The Guinness Premiership's top try-scorer, ahead of Gloucester's James Simpson-Daniel in second, will form a back three with Mark Cueto and Northampton colleague Ben Foden, who starts ahead of Delon Armitage who was dropped from the squad completely on Tuesday.

Johnson said: "Ben's form has been so good we have included him at full-back.

"Delon has not been playing as well as he can. That was a good call for Ben, who is playing very well. Chris Ashton's form has also been very good."

Northampton skipper Dylan Hartley is also included at hooker, meaning Jim Mallinder's men, second in the Guinness Premiership table, are without three front line players in the England squad.

Jonny Wilkinson was also dropped to the bench, Leicester's Toby Flood preferred at fly-half.