New Zealand v England, 3rd Test
Owen Farrell to miss third Test, Burns starts
Tom Hamilton in Christchurch
June 17, 2014
Owen Farrell will miss the Test in Hamilton © Getty Images
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Owen Farrell will miss the third Test against New Zealand due to a knee injury.

Farrell picked up a strain to the medial ligament in his knee during the second Test but will stay with the squad until they fly back to England on Sunday. He faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Stuart Lancaster confirmed after Tuesday's match that Freddie Burns would take his place in the starting XV. "Obviously it's hugely disappointing for Owen because he wanted to finish the season with the third Test, but these things happen

"Freddie and whoever we decide for the bench slot now has another opportunity. The challenge facing Freddie is to back up that performance that he produced in the first Test into the third Test. I'm confident he'll be ready."

Danny Care is still a doubt for Saturday's Test but England received a boost with Luther Burrell and Billy Twelvetrees both training on Tuesday.

Scrum-half Lee Dickson played well against the Crusaders and is contention to start if Care loses his battle with a shoulder injury.

"I'll have a chat with Danny, the physios and everyone else involved on Wednesday to ask the question," Lancaster said. "He needs to be 100% physically and mentally to be available for selection because you can't go into a Test against the All Blacks not in that position, particularly when I've got three scrum-halves who are fit and able."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
Tom Hamilton is the Associate Editor of ESPNscrum.

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