PARIS (Reuters, Aug 15) - The gloom darkened further over the England camp on Saturday with confirmation that centre Jamie Noon is unlikely to take any further part in the tournament while fullback Jason Robinson is also a major doubt.

Robinson was just about the only bright note in Friday's stunning 36-0 defeat by South Africa until he ripped a hamstring as he headed for the line in a rare England attack.

The tryscoring hero of the 2003 final has already retired from club rugby and Friday's appearance, his 48th, is likely to be his last for his country.

Noon's tournament is over after he suffered knee ligament damage late in the match and was taken off on a stretcher.

"Jamie obviously suffered quite a serious injury, the full update will be given later on," England forwards coach John Wells said on Saturday.

"I'd like to say the news on Jason was more encouraging but he goes for a scan later on in the day and we'll know then. He's never had a hamstring injury in 16 years as he's told us."

England were already without injured flyhalves Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley, though both could be fit for next Saturday's game against Samoa in Nantes, now effectively a straight knockout match.

Big performance
England have won all four of the teams' previous meetings, though they had to work hard for a 35-22 success at the same stage in the last tournament, but the Pacific Islanders gave South Africa a much stiffer examination than the world champions and will fancy their chances.

"There is going to have to be a big performance next Saturday, end of story, otherwise we are going to be on our way home," England coach Brian Ashton said in the aftermath of Friday' defeat.

Despite joining Ivory Coast, Canada, Spain and Namibia in the World Cup's historical nil club, Ashton was almost upbeat after the game, taking bizarre solace from an improvement on the opening match against the United States.

The players, however, were more realistic. "We are pretty down, that was a trouncing," said number eight Nick Easter. "It was pretty embarrassing."

Mathew Tait, now almost certain to start on Saturday, added: "We are very disappointed and very embarrassed. We couldn't execute what we've been practising and that's very disappointing."

Lock Ben Kay, however, said the time for moping was over.

"It's important the guys don't let all the negativity that inevitably comes with losing and losing in such circumstances -- from both within the camp and outside the camp -- get to us," he told journalists on Saturday.

"Because if we do that and take to the field against Samoa in a position where we've beaten ourselves, they'll be rubbing their hands thinking now's the time to beat us.

"We've got to turn up against Samoa and put in the game of our lives."