British & Irish Lions fly-half Owen Farrell will miss the opportunity to exact revenge on New Zealand this weekend after picking up a knee injury.
Farrell came into the England side for their second Test with the All Blacks on Saturday, despite an impressive showing by deputy Freddie Burns the previous weekend.
Stuart Lancaster’s side followed a last-gasp 20-15 defeat by surrendering the series with a 28-27 loss in Dunedin.
And they will be without 22-year-old Farrell, who came off the bench in Sydney as the Lions clinched a series win against Australia last summer, for the final Test in Hamilton.
The head coach will now pick from Burns, Danny Cipriani and Stephen Myler for the No.10 shirt as England have one final crack at ending the All Blacks’ 16-match winning streak.
“It’s disappointing for Owen as he was desperate to play in the final Test,” said Lancaster.
“Owen’s knee has been scanned and there is a strain there. Such is his character that he is already working on his rehab and still contributing to the tour.
“Fortunately we have three other fly-halves to call on and we’ll make that selection call over the next few days.”
