England coach Brian Ashton has picked Andy Farrell at fly-half for Friday’s World Cup clash with South Africa.
The rugby league convert, normally a centre, steps in after injuries to Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley, who strained a hip muscle in training.

Martin Corry will captain the side in place of Phil Vickery, who was banned for two games for tripping USA centre Paul Emerick in the opening match.

England have decided not to appeal against Vickery’s suspension.

Bath’s Matt Stevens will take Vickery’s place against South Africa, while Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater will be added to the bench.

Barkley will not be fit for this weekend and a further update will be issued next Tuesday.

London Irish’s Peter Richards and Newcastle’s Mathew Tait have been added to the bench to complete the 22.

Ian Robertson, 5live rugby union correspondent said of the plan to play Farrell at fly-half: “It’s an unbelievable decision.”

Farrell has played at both centre and in the back row since switching codes in March 2005.

But his rugby union career has been plagued by injury and some critics feel he was lucky to earn a place in Ashton’s 30-man squad for the World Cup.

However, Wasps coach Shaun Edwards, a Wigan rugby league legend, earlier insisted the former Great Britain rugby league captain is the answer at stand-off.

“I strongly believe his best position is number 10 in rugby union,” said Edwards.

“Even though he hasn’t played there a great deal, he played first receiver a lot in rugby league.”

Wilkinson suffered an ankle injury prior to the start of the tournament and was not included in the 22, while Barkley, who was man of the match in the 28-10 victory over the USA, strained a hip abductor in training earlier this week.

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England: Jason Robinson; Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Mike Catt, Josh Lewsey; Andy Farrell, Shaun Perry; Nick Easter, Tom Rees, Martin Corry (capt); Ben Kay, Simon Shaw; Matt Stevens, Mark Regan, Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: George Chuter, Perry Freshwater, Steve Borthwick, Lewis Moody, Andy Gomarsall, Peter Richards, Mathew Tait.

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