Leicester not happy over Toby Flood comments – Rugby News Update
Toby Flood, the 26-year-old England and Leicester Tigers fly-half has caused controversy between his director of rugby, Richard Cockerill and the head coach of England, Stuart Lancaster.
Flood has been injured, having missed the semi-final victory over the Saracens in the Aviva Premiership play-off, while Lancaster has given him a deadline to prove this fitness, otherwise he will be axed from the England squad that tours South Africa for
a three-match test series, along with playing two other midweek games in the southern hemisphere.
Lancaster’s comments over the fitness of Flood saying that there is no point taking a player who will not be available has irked Cockerill, who believes that it is not the business of England to make a comment on his player.
"It's very unhelpful," Cockerill said. "He is on club duty, it's our business and it's not helpful that there is speculation surrounding his fitness. For me it's inappropriate talking about it, just as I wouldn't talk about one of our players while they
were on Test duty."
Flood has been a sensation for England, and he was tipped to take over the mantle of Jonny Wilkinson, as he was coached by the former player while at Kings School. Flood made his debut as a 21-year-old against Argentina at Twickenham, on November 11, 2006,
coming on as a replacement for Charlie Hodgson.
Cockerill further added that the response of the Rugby Football Union was not appropriate either, and he also expects his half-fly to be fit for the final against Harlequins this Saturday.
"He could have said: 'He is being treated by his club and we hope he will be fit for the final.' You don't need to start talking about time frames and when he might be fit. That is privileged information which should be kept between me and the medical staff.”
Flood will be eager to add to the 47 test caps that he has earned in his career so far. He played his last international match against Wales at Twickenham, on February 25, 2012. He has started 30 of the 47 international matches, while coming on as a substitute
17 times.
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