England wing Josh Lewsey has been ruled out the World Cup final against South Africa at the Stade de France after failing to recover from the hamstring injury he suffered during the champions' 14-9 semi-final win over hosts France.

Lewsey - who scored England's lone try on Saturday after 78 seconds - is suffering from a grade one hamstring tear and will be out for three to five weeks.

"I feel gutted. Until I went off, I think only Ben Kay and I had played every minute of this World Cup (for England)," said 30-year-old Lewsey, a World Cup winner four years ago in Australia.

"It's not just yourself. Over the last four years the people around you sacrifice a lot for you to put sport first.

"There's been some testing times over the last couple of years but to go through all that and miss out just when you get to the final of the World Cup is very disappointing.

"But, ultimately, what matters this week is that we win. There will be no-one happier than me come Saturday night if England win. This isn't the time for any self-pity or anything like that, this is a time to be positive and take it to South Africa."

Lewsey, explaining how he sustained his injury, added: "I was coming on a switch from Jason (Robinson) and I just came under (Jean-Baptiste) Elissalde - France's scrum-half - and I started putting the power through on the right foot to push away and I felt it go.

"Anyone who has pulled a hamstring before, you know what it's like. It was one of those incidents where you know something's up. You just keep some lasting hope that it's some sort of spasm or cramp that can occur.

"But when we went for the scan, I knew straight away. That's what sport does, it's cruel sometimes."

England appear to have a couple of options from within their existing squad when it comes to finding a replacement.

They could leave Mathew Tait out on the wing, where the centre finished the match against France after Lewsey went off, and give a start to substitute midfielder Dan Hipkiss.

Another alternative would see Mark Cueto come in as a like-for-like replacement. There is also the possibility that Robinson could move across from full-back in a reshaped back three.

England back-row Lawrence Dallaglio, Lewsey's captain at Wasps, said: "He's played in one World Cup final and I'm sure he was looking forward to playing in another.

"But one man's disappointment will be an opportunity for someone else. World Cups are not won by one person, they are won by a squad," added Dallaglio, on the field for every minute of England's victorious campaign in Australia four years ago.

The 21-year-old Bath fullback Nick Abendanon, one of the last players to be culled from Brian Ashton's training squad before the tournament, will arrive in Paris on Monday night to take Lewsey's place in the squad.

Abendanon made his England debut on this year's tour to South Africa after joining the tour party as a late replacement when illness struck the camp. He won his second cap against France at Twickenham in August.

He is unlikely to be involved in the match 22 offers cover in case of training injuries or illness.

"It's obviously devastating for Josh as he has been so vital to the team and I feel for him," Abendanon told the Rugby Fooball Union. "But it is pretty exciting for me, especially going out for the final. I know I might not get a chance to play but to get back with the boys again will be great.

"I don't know what my chances of selection are because they told me to just bring my boots and gumshield, but I will be really happy to just train with the boys and get a taste of the atmosphere."

Brian Ashton will name his team on Wednesday for Saturday's match.

AFP