Lewsey backs old warhorses for last charge

Josh Lewsey may be out of the running but he has urged England's thoroughbreds to overturn the odds once again in Saturday's World Cup final.

The England winger was yesterday ruled out of the clash with South Africa after it was confirmed he had suffered a grade one hamstring strain in the 14-9 semi-final victory over France.

Bath's exciting but inexperienced full-back Nick Abendanon arrived in Paris last night as Lewsey's replacement just five days before the final.

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Four weeks ago England drifted to 50/1 outsiders after being thumped 36-0 by South Africa in the pool stages - the Springboks' fourth straight victory over them.

But, since that day, Brian Ashton's men have developed a steely determination not to be beaten.

They battled past Samoa and Tonga to reach the quarter-finals before digging deep to produce shock victories over Australia and France to set up a rematch with the Spring-boks.

Lewsey rates South Africa as favourites - but hopes England have built a momentum that will carry them to an historic victory. No team has ever successfully defended the World Cup.

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Lewsey said: "South Africa are favourites and rightly so - they beat us 36-0 last time and stuffed us twice in the summer.

"But we have had two good wins and it is quite nice doing the old Frankie Dettori, coming up on the rails. Hopefully we can do it again.

"There have been some difficult times and our performances haven't been up to it, but we have a lot of gnarly old battle-horses in this squad.”

Lewsey's replacement in the starting XV could either be Mark Cueto or centre Mathew Tait, who finished the semi-final playing on the wing with Dan Hipkiss at outside centre.