Sheridan ruled out

8:15pm Thursday 20th November 2008

England prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of Saturday's international against South Africa after failing to recover from a neck injury.

Wasps prop Tim Payne has been promoted from outside the original match 22 to start at loose-head against the world champions, with Matt Stevens remaining on the bench.

Sheridan suffered the injury in last weekend's 28-14 defeat to Australia.

He was expected to be fit in time to play against the Springboks and was named in the team by manager Martin Johnson on Tuesday.

But England's medical team decided Sheridan should be rested as a precaution.

He is expected to be available for England's final Investec Challenge international of the autumn against New Zealand on November 29.