Ashton waits for verdict on Wilko

Wilkinson misses Saturday's Pool A opener against the United States in Lens after twisting his ankle in training.

The result of a hospital scan will determine the 28-year-old's immediate World Cup prospects.

While a twisted ankle might not rank on the same scale as two major knee injuries, shoulder surgery, groin trouble, a lacerated kidney and appendicitis - among Wilkinson's fitness problems since 2003 - England find themselves playing a depressingly familiar waiting game.

After the USA, South Africa loom large at Stade de France on Friday week, a game that could decide whether England face Australia or Wales in next month's quarter-finals.

England head coach Brian Ashton will be desperate for Wilkinson to recover in time to face the Springboks.

Bath's Olly Barkley steps in this weekend, yet Ashton's decision to omit Newcastle fly-half prospect and goalkicker Toby Flood from his 30-man World Cup squad might return to haunt him. Barkley made his Test debut as a teenager against the USA in San Francisco more than six years ago, but Saturday's encounter at Stade Felix-Bollaert sees him make a World Cup bow.

He said: "It is not an ideal way to be starting a game. I am sad to see Jonny injured. Fingers crossed for Jonny that he is fit for next week, but I am looking to play as well as I possibly can on Saturday to make sure I create a few headaches if he is fit.

"Training with Jonny over the past six weeks or so has been great for me, and I think I have improved as a result. Just watching him is a huge boost, particularly in terms of his technique." England No8 Lawrence Dallaglio, meanwhile, hopes the Webb Ellis Trophy holders can discover the consistency that has deserted them since 2003, starting this weekend.

He said: "Form would suggest that while England have been able to produce good one-off performances, what we haven't done is put together consistent performances.

"There has been too much looking back rather than looking forward. We need to stop worrying about what happened four years ago and actually move forward.

"We must find some consistency in this tournament, and I think these first two games are critical to that.

"If we could get a great start against America, and then beat South Africa, all of a sudden it would change the whole status of England and how they are viewed in this competition."