Six Nations 2013: Farrell to miss England v Italy but Croft returns
England fly-half Owen Farrell will not be fit to play against Italy in the Six Nations because of injury, but flanker Tom Croft has been added to the squad.
Farrell, 21, picked up a thigh injury in the 23-13 win over France but is expected to be fit for selection against Wales on the final weekend.
Meanwhile, Leicester's Croft returns from a serious neck injury.
England are top of the Six Nations table with a 100% record from their first three games.
Six Nations table Played Won Points Difference Points England 3
3
36
6
Wales 3
2
19
4
Scotland 2
1
2
2
Ireland 2
1
2
2
Italy 3
1
-36
2
France 3
0
-25
0
Victory for England against Italy would leave them one win away from a first Grand Slam since 2003.
Farrell's absence is a major blow, with the Saracens player the top points scorer in this year's Six Nations with 42.
Toby Flood will start against Italy in Farrell's absence.
"Owen's still got the quad injury which I want to make sure has settled down completely," said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.
Croft, 27, had been expected to miss the entire Six Nations campaign, having only recently returned to fitness following nine months out.
But he completed consecutive matches for the first time this season on Saturday when he led the Tigers to victory over Sale, and he is available for selection against Italy.
"Tom has been seen by a specialist, played back-to-back games and played 80 minutes at the weekend and did extremely well," Lancaster added.
"In consultation with the medical teams and (Leicester director of rugby) Richard Cockerill, we've brought him back into the camp. He's available for Italy and Wales."
| Played | Won | Points Difference | Points | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England 3 3 36 6 Wales 3 2 19 4 Scotland 2 1 2 2 Ireland 2 1 2 2 Italy 3 1 -36 2 France 3 0 -25 0 Victory for England against Italy would leave them one win away from a first Grand Slam since 2003. Farrell's absence is a major blow, with the Saracens player the top points scorer in this year's Six Nations with 42. Toby Flood will start against Italy in Farrell's absence. "Owen's still got the quad injury which I want to make sure has settled down completely," said England head coach Stuart Lancaster. Croft, 27, had been expected to miss the entire Six Nations campaign, having only recently returned to fitness following nine months out. But he completed consecutive matches for the first time this season on Saturday when he led the Tigers to victory over Sale, and he is available for selection against Italy. "Tom has been seen by a specialist, played back-to-back games and played 80 minutes at the weekend and did extremely well," Lancaster added. "In consultation with the medical teams and (Leicester director of rugby) Richard Cockerill, we've brought him back into the camp. He's available for Italy and Wales." |