ENGLAND WILL BE without first-choice out-half Owen Farrell for their third Test against New Zealand on Saturday in Hamilton.
With the series already lost after defeats in the first two clashes, the absence of the 22-year-old Saracens man is a further blow as head coach Stuart Lancaster looks for his sided to produce a win against the Kiwis.
Farrell strained a medial knee ligament in last weekend’s 28-27 loss in Dunedin, but he will remain with the squad in a non-playing capacity this week.
“The knee has been scanned and there is a strain there,” confirmed Lancaster. “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.”
Freddie Burns performed well in place of Farrell in the first Test of the series, while Danny Cipriani impressed for a second-string team in this morning’s 38-7 victory over the Crusaders.
Northampton out-half Stephen Myler provides a further option for England in the 10 shirt.
Joe Gray, Ben Foden, Brad Barritt, Alex Goode, Anthony Watson and Chris Pennell all scored tries in the win over the Crusaders in Christchurch, while Cipriani kicked three conversions and Myler added two of his own.
