England hit by Flutey injury blow

(GETTY IMAGES)

England centre Riki Flutey has been ruled out of tomorrow's RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales after suffering a thigh injury in training.

Flutey has been replaced in the starting XV by Toby Flood with Shontayne Hape added to the replacements.

Flood, who missed autumn's Investec Challenge Series through injury, will win his 27th cap.

Flutey, who missed England's autumn campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery, suffered the injury during a non-contact training session on Thursday morning.

"Riki took a bang yesterday in training and he is out with a dead leg," said Johnson.

"I don't think Riki's injury is too bad. It was touch and go whether he would be fit and we think he isn't going to make it.

"It is a blow because we picked him to play there. The good thing for us is that Toby has played a lot of Test rugby at 12. He has a kicking game and is an experienced Test player now."