Olly Barkley has failed a fitness test on his hip injury and Jonny Wilkinson is still battling to recover from ankle ligament damage.

It will be the 32-year-old's first appearance in the No 10 jersey since he switched from Rugby League in 2005, and it comes in potentially England’s biggest match since the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

It is a huge task ahead for Farrell to direct the side against the Springboks – a side which ranked among the tournament favourites.

Ashton could have possibly flown over a replacement from back home, but at this stage both Barkley and Wilkinson have both been given time to fully recover.

Barkley, who performed so well against the United States in Lens last Saturday, underwent a scan yesterday after being injured in training. The Bath star is said to have strained an abductor muscle his left hip and England plan to issue a further medical update next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, with skipper Phil Vickery suspended for two matches, Leicester captain Martin Corry will take over the role against the Springboks.

England has also announced that it will not appeal Vickery's suspension, which means he is ruled out of the pool games against South Africa and Samoa in Nantes next week.

If, as expected, England loses to South Africa, it will possibly bow out of the World Cup if it follows it up with another defeat against Samoa.

It is a huge ask for Farrell, whose career in the 15-man game has been stalled by injury problems, to lead their victory bid against a South African side that is ranked among the tournament favourites.