England owe their fans a great night

Ashton knows that failure to overcome the Pacific Islanders will see England heading home before the knockout stages. He said: "It is the most important game. However, I have total confidence in the players that they will do the job."

Wasps winger Paul Sackey has overcome a thigh injury and is fit to take on Tonga, a team that last night took part in a publicity stunt by dying their hair green as part of a deal with a bookmaker.

Ashton expressed his surprise at the move so close to a match. He said: "I suppose they can do what they want, my only disappointment is they got in ahead of us. I was thinking of doing the same thing but I'm not telling you what the colour would have been."

Captain Martin Corry admitted the players owed their large travelling support another win tomorrow night. He said: "The support in Nantes for the game with Samoa was very special. Previously, we knew we had let them down with our performances.

"We know how much people are sacrificing to come out here and support us. One of the major motivations is to give the crowd something to shout about."

Phil Vickery, appointed captain before the World Cup began, was "disappointed" to be left out of the starting XV.

"I am frustrated having been out for two weeks with my ban but I would like to be out there on the pitch," he said.

"I was disappointed when I wasn't named in the team because you always want to play in these big games. No one wants to be part of an England team that doesn't get out of the group stages of the tournament. We have to perform and confidence is getting back to where it should be."

Ashton is unconcerned by Samoa's illegal high tackles that were aimed at Jonny Wilkinson and expects referees to continue to protect his potential match-winner.

"This is a physical game and I have every confidence that the officials will look after all the players," he said. "I know Jonny can look after himself and he will just get on with it. We know this is going to be a tough game and the anxiety before the Samoa match has been transferred into a positive feeling and a sense of anticipation. The bottom line is that if we don't win this one, we go home."

Meanwhile, Ireland were waiting for an update on Simon Best, who spent last night in a Bordeaux hospital after falling ill and losing all feeling down his right side. He also suffered a mild headache and had difficulty speaking.