England fly-half Owen Farrell ruled out of Six Nations because of injury

England fly-half Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the whole of the Six Nations because of a knee ligament injury.

The Saracens star suffered a high grade medial ligament strain during his club's Champions Cup defeat to Clermont Auvergne on Sunday. 

England coach Stuart Lancaster has three other fly-halves in his squad ahead next Friday’s opening match against Wales in Cardiff - George Ford, who is likely to start, Stephen Myler and Danny Cipriani.

Bath No 10 Ford appears to be Lancaster’s first-choice fly-half going into the tournament, but the absence of Farrell for its duration is a massive blow.

It's a real shame for Owen that he sustained this injury and we wish him the best for his recovery. We are fortunate to have three other No 10s in the squads in what is a competitive position.

Lancaster said: "It's a real shame for Owen that he sustained this injury and we wish him the best for his recovery. We are fortunate to have three other No 10s in the squads in what is a competitive position."

The news is the latest of a long line of injury problems for Lancaster. He has serious problems in the second row and potentially in midfield too.

He starts the tournament without lock trio Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling, plus first choice No 8 Ben Morgan.

Parling's knee injury suffered at Ulster on Saturday led Lancaster to add Northampton lock Christian Day to his training squad.

British and Irish Lions flanker Tom Croft has been called into the senior squad from the second-string Saxons, with Tom Wood struggling with ankle trouble.

In midfield Brad Barritt, Luther Burrell and Kyle Eastmond will have injuries examined in detail to determine whether any of the centres can face Wales.

England convened their Six Nations training squad at Pennyhill Park on Monday night, with Billy Twelvetrees and Jonathan Joseph the only fit centres.

Concussed centre Burrell could return to training on Friday, while Barritt will need another test on a knee injury and Eastmond requires further assessment on shoulder trouble.

Lancaster added: "We will continue to assess and treat the other players' injuries and will provide an update at the (tournament) launch tomorrow (Wednesday)."

England have already left Manu Tuilagi out of their Six Nations training squad altogether as the talisman centre continues to battle groin problems.