Bath's Nick joins squad as Lewsey is ruled out

Abendanon, born in Johannesburg, arrived in Paris last night as a replacement for Josh Lewsey, who has been ruled out of the final with a hamstring tear.

Abendanon, who failed to make the final 30-strong party, now joins fellow South African-born players Mike Catt and prop Matt Stevens. "It's obviously devastating for Josh as he has been so vital to the team and I feel for him," said Abendanon.

"But it is pretty exciting for me, especially going out for the Final. I know I might not get a chance to play but to get back with the boys again will be great.

"I don't know what my chances of selection are because they told me to just bring my boots and gumshield, but I will be really happy to just train with the boys and get a taste of the atmosphere."

Abendanon, who has two caps and just one start, came to England at an early age, returning to South Africa for a short period in his early teens. A product of the Bath Academy and Cheltenham College, he won selection for the England Under-19 side at the 2005 World Championship, and finished as his country's joint-top try scorer.

He will discover tomorrow, when England name their 22-strong match squad, if he must head to the dressing rooms on Saturday to cover wing and full back or else take a seat in the stands with Lewsey to watch the final. Abendanon was preferred to the Gloucester pair of full-back Olly Barkley and wing/centre James Simpson-Daniel.

Centre Mathew Tait, who finished the semi-final playing on the wing, will fill Lewsey's No11 jersey with Leicester's Dan Hipkiss coming in at outside centre.

The experienced Mark Cueto, who has been injured and in poor form, is the only other option to start the match.

Lewsey will remain with the squad in France and receive treatment and rehabilitation from the England medical team.

Meanwhile, Sir Clive Woodward will meet up with South African technical advisor Eddie Jones, the Australian coach he beat in the 2003 Cup final, at a lunch in London tomorrow.

"I don't think Clive Woodward would divulge too much," said Springbok coach Jake White.

"I can't see him giving too many secrets away. He's a big England fan and he'll enjoy the fact that England's in the final."