VERSAILLES, France — England star Jonny Wilkinson has an ankle injury and won't play in the defending champion's opening game against the United States at the Rugby World Cup.
The fly half, whose extra time drop goal against Australia captured the title in Sydney four years ago, wasn't named in the starting lineup or among the replacements to face the Americans in Lens on Saturday.
"Jonny Wilkinson twisted his ankle in training this morning and is not available for selection," coach Brian Ashton said Tuesday. "He is going for a scan this afternoon to determine the nature and the extent of the injury and until tomorrow there will be no further medical update."
Ashton has left many of his front-line players off the starting lineup anyway to ensure they are fit for England's second Group A game against South Africa, one of the title favourites, at the Stade de France on Sept. 14.
Despite the absence of Wilkinson, the starting lineup includes six players who played in the 2003 final in Sydney: Josh Lewsey, Mike Catt, Jason Robinson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Ben Kay and Phil Vickery, who is now captain.
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England
Mark Cueto; Josh Lewsey, Jamie Noon, Mike Catt, Jason Robinson; Olly Barkley, Shaun Perry; Andrew Sheridan, Mark Regan, Phil Vickery (captain), Simon Shaw, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Tom Rees, Lawrence Dallaglio.
Replacements: George Chuter, Matt Stevens, Martin Corry, Lewis Moody, Peter Richards, Andrew Farrell, Mathew Tait.
