PARIS (AFP) — Mark Cueto was on Wednesday named as the only change to the England starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup final against South Africa.
Cueto replaced left wing Josh Lewsey who sustained a tourmanent-ending hamstring injury during the defending champions' 14-9 semi-final win over hosts France last weekend.
Sale's Cueto hasn't featured in the tournament since a 36-20 Pool win over Tonga on September 28.
Mathew Tait, who had moved out to the wing from centre against France, retained his midfield position while centre Dan Hipkiss, who came off the bench in the semi-final, remained among the replacements.
England coach Brian Ashton said it was Cueto's experience at international level of playing in the back three and an expected "aerial bombardment" from South Africa that had seen him recalled for the Stade de France clash.
Widely written off before the tournament started, England have confounded the expectations of many critics.
Asked what it would mean to him if England won the World Cup, Ashton, who only took over in December, said: "I would be a very proud person.
"The players have put in a massive amount of work ever since June 25 (when the squad came together). They'd been written off massively before then but they've proved people wrong all round the world.
"The last two games (against France and Australia), they've come from behind against two sides that are in the top four in the world. They haven't got just a massive amount of character, but a massive amount of rugby ability which I don't think has been fully recognised."
He added: "There are individual stars all over the team but they sacrifice themselves for the collective. Getting to the final is not enough."
Last month South Africa beat England 36-0 in a Pool match - the title-holders' record World Cup defeat.
Asked what had changed for England since then, Ashton replied: "We're playing better, the squad's a lot closer than it was. We've moved on."
Although the squad is dominated by players from Leicester and European champions Wasps, England's two leading clubs, Ashton denied that his team had simply switched from the tactics associated with Leicester to those usually employed by Wasps after the South Africa defeat.
"It's not true. On the Saturday after the Friday night game against South Africa we had a very honest meeting to which everyone contributed. The following day I sat down with all the nines, tens and twelves, none of whom are from Wasps or Leicester."
Ashton added there was no way South Africa would be overawed by the occasion even though prop Os du Randt is now the only survivor from the Springbok side that won the World Cup on home soil in 1995.
"South Africa have got massive experience, a very good coaching staff and some world-class players. The mentality of the South Africans, they won't freeze. They will be hanging on until the 80th minute, just like we will which is why it (the final) should make for such a fantastic occasion."
England's starting line-up contained four survivors from the 1st XV that played in the 20-17 World Cup final win against Australia four years ago - full-back Jason Robinson, in what is set to be his last appearance before retirement, fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, lock Ben Kay and prop Phil Vickery, now the team captain.
England are bidding to become the first side to win back-to-back World Cups.
South Africa had been due to name their team on Wednesday but delayed their announcement until Thursday.
England (15-1)
Jason Robinson; Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Mike Catt, Mark Cueto; Jonny Wilkinson, Andy Gomarsall; Nick Easter, Lewis Moody, Martin Corry; Ben Kay, Simon Shaw; Phil Vickery (capt), Mark Regan, Andrew Sheridan
Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Worsley, Peter Richards, Toby Flood, Danny Hipkiss
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