Rate it!

3 votes

Prop Andrew Sheridan has been withdrawn from the England team to face South Africa in a Test at Twickenham.

The Sale loose-head suffered a neck injury in the defeat to Australia, which has since recurred in training.

Sheridan will be replaced in the starting line-up by Wasps man Tim Payne, who was not listed as a replacement when the initial line up was released but has been training with England.

Matt Stevens therefore stays on the bench as cover, as he can play tight and loose-head.

Payne brings the Wasps contingent in the starting XV to eight, which is unusual as the side are second bottom of the Guinness Premiership.

Sheridan is expected to return for the final Test against New Zealand on November 29.

Revised England team:

15-Delon Armitage, 14-Paul Sackey, 13-Jamie Noon, 12-Riki Flutey, 11-Ugo Monye; 10-Danny Cipriani, 9-Danny Care; 8-Nick Easter, 7-Tom Rees, 6-James Haskell, 5-Tom Palmer, 4-Steve Borthwick (captain), 3-Phil Vickery, 2-Lee Mears, 1-Tim Payne

Replacements: 16-Dylan Hartley, 17-Matt Stevens, 18-Simon Shaw, 19-Tom Croft, 20-Jordan Crane, 21-Harry Ellis, 22-Toby Flood.

South Africa team:

15-Conrad Jantjes, 14-JP Pietersen, 13-Adi Jacobs, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Ruan Pienaar, 9-Ricky Januaries; 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Danie Rossouw, 6-Schalk Burger, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-Jannie du Plessis, 2-John Smit (captain), 1-Beast Mtawarira

Replacements: 16-Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17-Brian Mujati, 18-Andries Bekker, 19-Ryan Kankowski, 20-Heinrich Brussow, 21-frans Steyn,, 22-Jaque Fourie

Reda Maher / Eurosport