England v New Zealand, Twickenham, December 1
Flood ruled out of All Blacks clash
ESPN Staff
November 26, 2012
England fly-half Toby Flood kicks for goal, England v South Africa, Twickenham, London, England, November 24, 2012
England fly-half Toby Flood has been ruled out of Saturday's clash with New Zealand with a toe injury © Getty Images
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England fly-half Toby Flood has been ruled out Saturday's clash with New Zealand with a toe injury.

The Leicester playmaker picked up the injury in the early stages of England's 16-15 defeat to South Africa last weekend and was replaced by Saracens' Owen Farrell who is now in line to lay claim to the No.10 shirt for the visit of the All Blacks.

England bolstered their training squad last night in anticipation of losing Flood's services with in-form Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns likely to be named on the bench when coach Stuart Lancaster names his 23-man squad on Thursday.

Lancaster said: "Toby won't be fit for the weekend so Freddie Burns has come in and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out he will play some part in the squad. Toby's injury isn't as bad as first feared but it will definitely keep him out of this weekend."

Loose-head prop Alex Corbisiero is another injury concern and will not train until Thursday but Lancaster is optimistic he will be fit to face the All Blacks.

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