Catt has extensive experience of playing at number 10

The 35-year-old was originally named at inside centre, with Farrell selected at number 10, but he says the roles have been reversed.

"I'll start at 10 and predominantly stay at 10," Catt told BBC Radio 5live.

Catt has plenty of experience at fly-half, but has evolved into a specialist centre in recent years.

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The 35-year-old said England will be looking to capitalise on the kicking skills of both himself and Farrell.

"Obviously with Andy's left foot, I think it's a vital part of our game," he added.

"It's a bit like myself and Olly (Barkley). We want to get us down in the right parts of the pitch and when we do that we can attack off it. It's a massive task for us but as long as we play down there anything can happen."

England coach Brian Ashton said he viewed the two players as being interchangeable in the role.

"As an educated guess, Catt will play 10 and Farrell 12," said Ashton.

We share the workload and responsibility England's Andy Farrell

"I see them both as inside backs, mixing and matching during the game. If I didn't think they could do it, I wouldn't have picked them."

Farrell has won all his six caps as a centre since his high-profile switch from rugby league, while Catt has won caps at full-back, centre, fly-half and even on the wing since making his England debut in 1994.

Speaking on Tuesday, Farrell said that he viewed the inside centre and fly-half positions as much of a muchness.

"The last few weeks the 10s and 12s have all been swapping in and out anyway, and we share the workload and responsibility," he said.

"The way Brian likes to play, he likes his 10 and 12 to control the game between them. There is not that much difference, just a bit more responsibility at 10.

"When Olly went off during training on Tuesday, me and 'Catty' just sorted it out between ourselves."

England will start with Farrell as their first-choice goal-kicker with replacement scrum-half Andy Gomarsall lined up as second choice should anything happen to the former Great Britain rugby league captain.

Catt has kicked 22 penalties and 16 conversions for England during a 13-year Test career, but did not kick at goal for his club London Irish last year to protect his problematic back.

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Farrell's goal-kicking pedigree in rugby league is unquestioned, having landed 1042 goals in 230 Super League appearances for Wigan, but his last kick at goal in a Test match was for Great Britain three years ago.

Ashton said he expected to have both Wilkinson and Barkley back in contention for selection in time for England's next match - against Samoa on 22 September.

Wilkinson suffered an ankle injury prior to the start of the tournament and was not included in the 22, while Barkley, who was man of the match in the 28-10 victory over the USA, strained a hip abductor in training earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Ashton has brought Bristol veteran Darren Crompton to France on stand-by because of Phil Vickery's suspension for tripping USA centre Paul Emerick in the opening match.

England have only three available props - Matt Stevens, Andrew Sheridan and Perry Freshwater - meaning that any injury would leave them without a specialist replacement on the bench which is against tournament regulations.

Martin Corry will captain the side in place of Vickery, with Bath's Matt Stevens taking his place in the side against South Africa and Freshwater on the bench.

London Irish's Peter Richards and Newcastle's Mathew Tait have been added to the bench to complete the 22.

England: Robinson; Sackey, Noon, Catt, Lewsey; Farrell, Perry; Sheridan, Regan, Stevens; Shaw, Kay; Corry (capt), Rees, Easter.
Replacements: Chuter, Freshwater, Borthwick, Moody, Gomarsall, Richards, Tait.