Owen Farrell out of third NZ Test

The England flyhalf’s knee injury keeps him out of contention with Leicester’s Freddie Burns set to replace him.

England's other fly-half options include Freddie Burns, Danny Cipriani and Stephen Myler [GALLO/GETTY]

England flyhalf Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the third test against New Zealand after straining the medial ligament in his left knee.

Farrell, who was a late arrival in New Zealand due to the English club final, played in the second test at Dunedin, won 28-27 by the All Blacks to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

The England team said he would remain with the squad until the end of their tour, which concludes following the third test
in Hamilton.

“The knee has been scanned and there is a strain there,” England coach Stuart Lancaster said in a statement.

“It’s disappointing for Owen as he was desperate to play in the final Test but such is his character that he is already working on his rehab and still contributing to the tour.

“Fortunately we have three other flyhalves to call on and well make that selection call over the next few days.”

Freddie Burns played in the 20-15 first test loss at Eden Park and was impressive filling Farrell’s shoes and is likely to get the nod again from Lancaster to play at Waikato Stadium.

England rout Crusaders

England’s fringe test players proved to coach Stuart Lancaster he was on the right track to build depth as he prepares for next year’s World Cup with a 38-7 victory over the seven-times Super Rugby champion Canterbury Crusaders in Christchurch.

The visitors, who have spent most of the tour holding tackle bags for the test side, scored six tries – four in the first half – while flyhalf Danny Cipriani slotted three conversions before he was substituted early in the second half.

It was England’s first win on the tour after they lost the first two matches to the All Blacks and will no doubt give the Test side hope ahead of the third and final match in Hamilton.

 

Source: Reuters