Ben Spencer joins England World Cup final squad

Saracens scrum-half Ben Spencer has joined the England squad in Japan and is set to be named on the bench for the World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday.

He replaces Willi Heinz, who suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final win over New Zealand, and with Ben Youngs the only other recognised number nine in the squad, Spencer looks set to earn his fourth England cap as a replacement despite having played little more than 20 minutes of Test rugby previously.

England head coach Eddie Jones used his Monday press conference to issue positive bulletins on Jonny May and Owen Farrell, both of whom suffered dead legs in the 19-7 win over the All Blacks.

May, who has scored three tries in the tournament, is the general 8-1 favourite to be the first tryscorer in the final.

Farrell, who has scored 46 points in the tournament, relinquished goalkicking duties to George Ford after his knock in the semi-final, and is 7-4 to finish as the tournament's top points scorer.

South African fly-half Handre Pollard (47 points) is the 6-4 favourite, with New Zealand's Richie Mo'unga (39 points) next best at 13-2.

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