Injury concern: Toby Flood
England fly-half Toby Flood has been cleared of a broken toe but is doubtful for next week's clash with New Zealand.
But the Leicester star is still doubtful for next week's Test against New Zealand after reportedly leaving Twickenham with his right foot in a protective boot.
Flood's injury will be reassessed by the England medics on Sunday evening, when a decision over the need for any further scans will be taken.
"It doesn't look great," Flood wrote in his column for the Mail On Sunday.
If Flood is sidelined next weekend, Owen Farrell and Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns would be England's likely options to replace him.
Farrell replaced Flood after 47 minutes against the Springboks at Twickenham, while Burns, who kicked 19 points in Gloucester's 29-3 Aviva Premiership win against Sale on Saturday, has trained with England during the November series.
Comments
TVaddict says...
It would be really fun of Lancaster to go for a backline of:
9) Care
10) Burns
11) Wade
12) Twelvetrees
13) Tuilagi
14) Sharples
15) Brown
Nothing to lose in this match and as long as the lineout gets sorted out we should have parity in the forward play, why not pick an exciting backline?
Posted 21:56 25th November 2012
lacroix says...
are farrell and flood really the best two 10's england have? thats tragic.
flood was dreadful yesterday and often is.
and its not as if they have any world class 9's either.
Posted 14:48 25th November 2012
Centre12 says...
Flood has never been able to cut the mustard at Test level and it surprises me how he has managed to bag +50 Caps, not bad as a fill in player but he will never win you a WC. Nothing to lose in the AB game so would definatly start with Farrell and bring the form English #10 on in the 2nd half, its funny how the form English #10 & #12 are not even in squad at present.
Posted 12:01 25th November 2012
1st58 says...
The idea of Flood being out worries me (not that I rate him at all), because if they choose Farrell to replace him, I can just see his dreadful kicking game feeding the superb NZ back three and them cutting us to pieces.
Posted 11:56 25th November 2012
bartsinfrance says...
Sorry Toby there are more dynamic, definitely stronger and younger fly halfs in the English game. but then again there are better wings than Ashton too. come on Stuart the young guns are the way forward. for 2015.
Posted 11:50 25th November 2012
Chubbylugs says...
Farrell isn't the long term option at 10, I don't think he warrants a place in the squad IMHO, purely because he is not a 10 and isn't a good enough centre to justify selection. Goal kicking should not be reason enough to select him. He goes missing after a couple of phases
Posted 11:37 25th November 2012
jehosophat says...
At least Farrell kicks all his goals , which was a major factor in a half decent 6n last year. Flood can put a weak side to the sword more effectively but against top class opposition I prefer Farrell anyway.
Posted 10:10 25th November 2012
Waz4before says...
Burns please, nothing to lose but the game ....
Posted 10:04 25th November 2012