The host nation won both pool games earlier in the day at Robina Stadium, surviving a tough Samoa 24-7 before brushing by rugby sevens minnows Jamaica 32-5.

It sets up a clash with England that will decide the winner of the pool and who progresses to Sunday’s semi-finals.

But the wins may have come at a cost, with coach Andy Friend admitting playmaker Tom Lucas was only a 50-50 chance to suit up in Saturday night’s winner-takes- all clash.

Already without halves Lewis Holland (hamstring) and James Stannard (fractured skull), Lucas limped off midway through the first game with a knee injury.

He suited up for the second game but, with his knee heavily strapped, was reduced to water-carrying duties.

The team will be encouraged to have a sleep on Saturday afternoon as they bridge the nearly seven-hour gap between games.

“We’ll give him (Lucas) a break now, give him a chance to recover ... give them a good sleep window then get them back out for what we know is our final now against England,” Friend said.

“We’ll see how he goes, but one position we didn’t need to lose is another half. “He’s a 50/50 chance (of playing).”

Bench spark Maurice Longbottom was brought into the starting side to play Jamaica and scored a hat-trick, while John Porch and Ben O’Donnell both lifted for the besieged side.

“We’ve just got blokes stepping up, out of position but they’re doing a good job,” Friend said.

Longbottom, who is fit again after an ankle injury, insists their run of bad luck won’t be enough to stop them against England, where the winner will progress to Sunday’s semi-final stage.

“We’re a pretty tight group, we’ve got 12 blokes that can do the job of anyone and we’re going well,” he said.

“I’m enjoying it, it’s good to be back.”

England remained undefeated, beating Samoa 33-0 after their 38-5 win against Jamaica earlier in the day.

New Zealand and South Africa both powered to first-up wins against minnows Zambia (54-0) and Malaysia (43-0) and Fiji brushed aside an entertaining Sri Lanka 63-5.