ANDY FARRELL'S World Cup could be over after he suffered a calf injury after training yesterday.

The Saracens centre was set to make his second World Cup start with England in Saturday's quarter-final clash with Australia on Saturday, but the miserable bad luck that has plagued his union career to date has again reared its ugly head.

The former Wigan Warriors legend, who was set to face the Wallabies alongside Mathew Tait, had an MRI scan this morning which confirmed the strain to his right calf.

He is now undergoing treatment with England's medical staff but, unless England upset the odds by beating Australia, his World Cup dream will have come to a disappointing end.

England coach Brian Ashton will announce Farrell's replacement tomorrow.

Farrell, whose Sarries' debut was delayed by more than a year after a succession of injuries, has been mercilessly barracked by critics since he first pulled on an England shirt in the 15-man game.

He was made the fall guy for England's Six Nations thrashing to Ireland earlier this year while his subsequent displays have done little to quell the personal attacks.

Farrell travelled with the England squad for their two test tour of South Africa in the summer, but a gastric bug ruled him out.

The one crumb of comfort he does have is the try he scored against Tonga which helped secure England's passage into the last eight.