10 Jan 2014

Flood out of England squad

4:02 pm on 10 January 2014

The English rugby player Toby Flood's international career looks to be over after the Leicester flyhalf, who appears set for a move to French side Toulouse at the end of the season, was omitted from the England elite player squad.

The 28-year-old, with 60 caps to his name, has said he will leave Leicester and though his destination is yet to be confirmed, Toulouse look the strong favourites.

That means he has fallen foul of the Rugby Football Union's policy of not picking overseas-based players apart from in "exceptional circumstances".

Flood is replaced in the squad by uncapped George Ford, who joins Freddie Burns and Owen Farrell as coach Stuart Lancaster's first five eighths options.

England open their Six Nations campaign away to France on February 1st and also play New Zealand in a three-Test series in June.