Flood's move to Leicester will help him (From Gazette)

RBS 6 Nations clash sees Toby Flood edges out Andy Goode

2:14pm Friday 27th February 2009 in Rugby

Toby Flood believes his move to Leicester will help him inhabit the England fly-half jersey on a long-term lease rather than short-term loan.

Flood has replaced Andy Goode in the England team for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with Ireland at Croke Park, meaning England have now changed their starting fly-half seven times and used five different players in ten Test matches, dating back to when Jonny Wilkinson was the incumbent during the 2008 RBS 6 Nations.

England boss Martin Johnson is anxious for one of his contenders to make the position their own and Saturday will be Flood’s latest opportunity to bed down in the England team.

Flood, who has been around the England set-up for over two years and won 23 caps – only 11 of those have been in the starting XV, with just four at fly-half – feels better suited to grasping the challenge now than at any time before.

“Being in the Leicester environment is a tough one. You have to mature quickly and there is not really much room for a mistake,” he said.

“Leicester play in a lot of high-profile games. I have enjoyed my time there and being in that environment at the club has allowed me to improve my game.

“It’s the time you want to be to putting your hand up and making a mark, to cement a position in the squad in which there is a huge amount of competition.”