England fly-half Toby Flood ruled out of New Zealand clash

Toby Flood (GETTY IMAGES)

Toby Flood has been ruled out of England's QBE autumn international against New Zealand with a toe injury, head coach Stuart Lancaster has confirmed.

The Leicester fly-half suffered ligament damage in the big toe of his right foot during England's 16-15 defeat to South Africa.

Owen Farrell, who came off the bench on Saturday, is set to take over at fly-half against the All Blacks with the uncapped Freddie Burns likely to be named on the bench when Lancaster confirms 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."

PA