Sheridan ruled out of England squad

England prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of Saturday’s international against South Africa after failing to recover from a neck injury.

Wasps’ prop Tim Payne has been promoted from outside the original match 22 to start at loose-head against the world champions, with Matt Stevens remaining on the bench.

Sheridan suffered the injury in last weekend’s 28-14 defeat to Australia.

He was expected to be fit in time to play against the Springboks and was named in the team by manager Martin Johnson on Tuesday.

But England’s medical team today decided Sheridan should be rested as a precaution.

He is expected to be available for England’s final Investec Challenge international of the autumn against New Zealand on November 29.

Sheridan would have been a key weapon in challenging the Springboks' direct scrummaging style and his absence will be a blow to England.

Sheridan has been on “modified training” all week and the decision to withdraw him was finalised after he failed to play a full part in England’s intensive scrummaging session today.

Payne will win his ninth Test cap and his elevation takes the Wasps contingent in the England starting XV to eight.

Payne’s last appearance for England was on the summer tour to New Zealand, when he again deputised for Sheridan who had suffered a gash to the eye.