Flutey out, Flood in
February 05 2010
Riki Flutey has withdrawn from the England team to face Wales after suffering a thigh knock in training, and is replaced by Toby Flood.
Flood's promotion leaves a gap in the replacements for Shontayne Hape to fill, while also reuniting an old Newcastle Falcons 10-12-13 combination in Jonny Wilkinson, Flood and Mathew Tait.
Flutey, who missed England's November 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 England Manager Martin 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 twelve. He has a kicking game and is an experienced Test player now."