Josh Lewsey, the England winger, has been ruled out of Saturday’s World Cup final with South Africa in Paris with a hamstring injury, his place in the squad going to Nick Abendanon, the Bath full back, who will fly out to Paris tonight.

Lewsey, 30, was forced off just before half-time of the 14-9 semi-final victory over France trying to sprint away from a tackle by Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, the scrum half.

The Wasps player, who gave England a start beyond their wildest dreams when he scored the opening try of the match after just 77 seconds against the hosts, had his worst fears confirmed this morning when a scan revealed a grade one strain.

"I feel gutted," he said. "Until I went off, I think only Ben Kay and I had played every minute of this World Cup [for England]. 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 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."

Brian Ashton, the head coach, will name his team for the final on Wednesday and must now decide how best to replace the unlucky Lewsey. The likely choice is between recalling Mark Cueto or keeping Mathew Tait on the wing, where he finished Saturday’s game, and starting with Dan Hipkiss at outside centre.

Abendanon ultimately got the nod, but it must have been a close call between the Bath back and Wasps’ Danny Cipriani, who was another to figure in England’s pre-tournament training squad but missed out on selection.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Lewsey’s captain at Wasps, said his club-mate's withdrawal would be a major blow to England. “The loss of Josh will be unfortunate for him and the team," he said.

“Having played in one World Cup final, I’m sure he was looking forward to playing in another. He did set the tone for the game at the weekend with a great opening try and put the pressure on France for the rest of the match.

“It will be a blow for him but, I guess, 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,” Dallaglio, who played every minute of England’s victorious campaign in Australia four years ago, said. "I’m sure whoever comes in will do a fantastic job."

England’s other injury worry is to Mike Catt, the veteran London Irish centre, who was also replaced before the end of the France match.

Catt, 36, lasted 69 minutes before making way for Toby Flood, but his groin problem is not believed to be serious enough to prevent him from taking the field at the Stade de France.

"I would not want to miss next weekend for anything," Catt said.

Ashton, meanwhile, can expect to be rewarded with a new contract immediately after the World Cup, according to Francis Baron, the RFU chief executive.

Ashton only signed a one-year deal when he replaced Andy Robinson last December but England’s spectacular revival in the last fortnight looks set to earn the former Ireland coach the offer of a substantial contract from director of rugby Rob Andrew next week.

“Brian and Rob Andrew - Rob is Brian’s direct boss - will be sitting down immediately after the World Cup," Baron said.

“Brian clearly has done a great job and I’m sure Rob and Brian will be thrashing it out after the World Cup’s finished.”