Balshaw - ruled out of quarter-final.

By Andrew Baldock, PA Sport Rugby Union Correspondent, Brisbane

Iain Balshaw has withdrawn from the England bench for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Wales at Suncorp Stadium.

Balshaw, who scored two tries against Uruguay before being stretchered off with ankle trouble, will be replaced by Perpignan wing Dan Luger.

England officials diagnosed that injury as an ankle sprain, and it was hoped that he would regain full fitness in time to line up among a powerful replacements' contingent alongside the likes of Mike Catt, Kyran Bracken and Trevor Woodman.

But a decision on Balshaw's fitness was taken as England staged their final training session for the quarter-final in Brisbane.

The 24-year-old's recent career has been blighted by injury setbacks, with him making just three England starts in the past two years.

Luger, though, is a quality deputy, with more than 30 caps and 20 Test tries under his belt.

England head coach Clive Woodward said later that Balshaw had been ruled out by a sore knee, as opposed to any problem with his ankle.

"Losing him is a big disappointment. He played wonderfully well against Uruguay, but Dan Luger is an outstanding player to come in," said Woodward.

And Woodward delivered a positive fitness report on flanker Richard Hill, who will miss his fourth successive World Cup game tomorrow due to a hamstring problem.

If England beat Wales and secure a semi-final appointment with Ireland or France in Sydney next week, then Hill is firmly on course to be fit.