Rugby
Flood out of All Black Test
2012-11-26 15:56
London - England head coach Stuart Lancaster
revealed on Monday that flyhalf Toby Flood will be sidelined for his
country's Test against New Zealand on Saturday due to a toe injury.
Flood
sustained ligament damage in the big toe of his right foot in a clash
with two Springbok players during Saturday's 16-15 defeat at
Twickenham and left the stadium in a protective boot after coming off
just after half-time.
Lancaster said on Monday that the injury was
not as bad as first feared, but he confirmed the Leicester star will
not recover in time for the All Blacks' showdown this weekend.
Owen
Farrell, who came off the bench to replace Flood, is set to take over
at flyhalf against the world champions, with the uncapped Freddie Burns
likely to be named on the bench when Lancaster announces his 23-man
squad on Thursday.
Flood's absence is another blow for Lancaster,
who has seen England slump to disappointing defeats against South Africa
and Australia in their last two matches.
Meanwhile, Bath wing Tom
Biggs has received his first senior call-up after Ugo Monye suffered a
calf injury, with Gloucester prop Nick Wood also linking up with England
to act as precautionary cover for Alex Corbisiero.
Corbisiero played against South Africa but is only three matches into his comeback from a knee injury.
"Toby
Flood's toe has been re-examined and there is no bone broken but we
will need to see how it settles down over the next 24 hours," Lancaster
said.
"Freddie has been in for two of the last three weeks (as
injury cover for Jordan Turner-Hall) so we know what he can bring and
Nick Wood will provide cover as we manage Alex's knee at the start of
the week.
"Tom is next in line from the Saxons and we are looking forward to getting a look at him."