Andy Farrell will miss England's World Cup quarter-final with Australia in Marseille on Saturday.

The 32-year-old suffered a strained calf muscle in training.

The former Great Britain rugby league captain was named in England's starting line-up on Wednesday three weeks after being dropped following the record 36-0 World Cup defeat against South Africa.

"A clinical review and MRI scan this morning confirmed a strain and the Saracens centre is now being rehabilitated by the England medical team," England officials said in a statement

Olly Barkley is favourite to play at inside centre but he is also in a race against time to get fit after suffering a dead leg in the same training session that Farrell got injured in.

Brian Ashton will not announce a replacement until Friday afternoon.

Playmaker Johnny Wilkinson admitted that the loss of Farrell would be disruptive, but lauded England's strength in depth.

"It's not ideal scenario for a team to have to announce a player not making a game. It's tough for Andy himself," he said.

"But this World Cup has brought forward the importance of strength in depth.

"Andy's had a fantastic tournament so far, off the field especially, what he's brought to the squad in terms of solidity and consistency in attitude and his performance against Tonga summed it up.

"It is a disruption but the strength and depth in the squad means we can overcome that quickly and get on with it."

England-Australia: Match Facts

* The countries have met on 34 occasions - Australia lead the series 20-13, with one draw.

* England's record wins were 20-3 (1973) and 23-6 (1976), while Australia boast a best of 76-0 (1998).

* The only draw between England and Australia was a 15-15 scoreline at Twickenham in November 1997.

* Saturday's game will be the fifth World Cup meeting between England and Australia. The series is currently level at 2-2.

* England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson needs six points to overtake Scotland's Gavin Hastings as the top scorer in World Cup history.

* England flanker Lewis Moody will win his 50th cap in Saturday's clash.

* England field five survivors in their starting line-up from the 2003 World Cup final XV - Wilkinson, Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey, Phil Vickery and Ben Kay.

* England's two previous visits to the Stade Velodrome in Marseille produced 17-16 and 22-9 defeats against France.

* Saturday's game is England's 599th Test match, 136 years after their first official international against Scotland in Edinburgh.

* England have made World Cup quarter-final exits on two previous occasions - against Wales in 1987 and South Africa 12 years later.

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