Injured Sheridan pulls out of England squad

Published on Thursday 20 November 2008 21:42

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of tomorrow's international against South Africa after failing to recover from a neck injury.

Wasps' prop Tim Payne has been promoted from outside the original match 22 to start at loose-head against the world champions, with Matt Stevens remaining on the bench.

Sheridan suffered the injury in last weekend's 28-14 defeat to Australia.

South Africa also have injury problems, and the withdrawal of Bismarck du Plessis due to a hamstring injury sustained during the 14-10 win over Scotland has seen his older brother, Jannie, called in as a replacement for the game at Twickenham.

Meanwhile, Ireland have recalled Geordan Murphy and Jerry Flannery for their crucial showdown with Argentina at Croke Park. Murphy returns at full-back with Girvan Dempsey dropping out of the squad altogether following last Saturday's 22-3 defeat by New Zealand.

Flannery is restored to the front row, forcing hooker Rory Best – who has recovered from a dead leg – to settle for a place among the substitutes.

A third change sees Ulster back-row Stephen Ferris replace Alan Quinlan in the No 6 jersey. Quinlan has been suspended for three weeks after a citing for stamping against the All Blacks was upheld by a disciplinary hearing. Ireland have opted to appeal the decision and with the hearing being held today, a space on the bench has been left open for Quinlan.

Leinster veteran Malcolm O'Kelly, Ireland's most capped player with 91 appearances, will provide second row cover from the bench.

Lions lock Paul O'Connell has shaken off his dead leg and continues in an all-Munster tight five.

Tomorrow's showdown in Dublin – where Argentina have never won – is a seismic contest as Ireland must triumph to retain eighth place in the world rankings. Victory will ensure they are among the seeds for the 2011 World Cup draw On 1 December, while defeat would see them selected in a group containing two top-tier nations.

Ahead of Wales' Millennium Stadium clash with New Zealand, winger Shane Williams has revealed his admiration for Welsh rugby's new kid on the block, Leigh Halfpenny.

Williams could crown a memorable 12 months by being named International Rugby Board player of the year in London on Sunday night.

But 19-year-old Halfpenny's startling emergence into the Test match arena left Williams just relieved he was selected for tomorrow evening's Test.

"Leigh deserves his place before anyone," said Williams of his fellow winger.

"He has played the best in the first two games (against South Africa and Canada], and he certainly should have been the first name on the sheet.

"I have got no qualms about that at all – I am just glad I am playing this weekend. I just want to go out there and play like I know I can play.

"If we win on the weekend, I play well and Leigh scores a hat-trick, then great. First and foremost, I want Wales to win."