Jonny Wilkinson has been ruled out of England's first World Cup match against the USA on Saturday because of a twisted ankle.

The ill-fated fly-half suffered the injury on Tuesday morning, just hours before the team was set to be announced.

The extent of the injury is not yet known, but Bath's Olly Barkley will wear the number 10 shirt in Lens as England begin their World Cup defence.

Head coach Brian Ashton said: "We've picked a XV that we think will do a job against the USA.

"Jonny Wilkinson twisted his ankle in training this morning and is not available for selection. He is going for a scan this afternoon to determine the nature and the extent of the injury and until tomorrow there will be no further medical update."

Wilkinson's career has descended into a tragi-comic succession of injuries since he landed the winning drop-goal in the 2003 final against Australia.

Knee, arm, shoulder and kidney problems - among many others - meant he did not represent his country at all between November 2003 and February 2007, but he finally appeared to have put his injury woes behind him going into the World Cup.

Elsewhere, prop Phil Vickery leads the side, while 2003 stalwarts Lawrence Dallaglio, Mike Catt, Jason Robinson, Josh Lewsey and Ben Kay all start.

However, there is surprisingly no place for former captain Martin Corry or his Leicester Tigers back row colleague Lewis Moody. Dallaglio plays at number eight, while Joe Worsley and Tom Rees get the nod at flanker.

England team:

15-Mark Cueto, 14-Josh Lewsey, 13-Jamie Noon, 12-Mike Catt, 11-Jason Robinson, 10-Olly Barkley, 9-Shaun Perry; 1-Andrew Sheridan, 2-Mark Regan, 3-Phil Vickery, 4-Simon Shaw, 5-Ben Kay, 6-Joe Worsley, 7-Tom Rees, 8-Lawrence Dallaglio.

Replacements: 16-George Chuter, 17-Matt Stevens, 18-Martin Corry, 19-Lewis Moody, 20-Peter Richards, 22-Mathew Tait. One further replacement to be named.

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Alex Chick / Eurosport