Owen Farrell has his work cut out to dislodge Leicester Tigers fly-half Toby Flood
Leicester Tigers' Toby Flood remains the "master" at fly-half according to his main challenger for the country's No.10 shirt.
Saracens' Owen Farrell has grabbed – and then lost – the starting shirt for his country during the last 12 months.
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He made his debut for England at the start of this year's Six Nations aged just 20, and kept his place throughout the campaign, even when Flood returned to form and fitness.
The Saracens man again got the nod to start at outside-half on the summer tour to South Africa but, after England slipped to a 22-17 defeat in the first Test, England head coach Stuart Lancaster turned to Flood to breathe life back into the Red Rose's insipid backs.
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In the second Test, England were steamrollered in the first half but it was the Tigers half-back pairing of Flood and Ben Youngs that dragged the tourists back to the verge of a famous victory.
It was also Flood who started the final match, a 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth.
Rather than bare his teeth at Flood, below, after losing his place, Farrell preferred to focus on the greater good – a fundamental part of Lancaster's set-up.
"I don't see it as a rivalry with Toby," said Farrell. "There are a lot of good players in the Premiership now and a lot of good players in the squad at England.
"All you've got to do is put your best foot forward and play as well as you can each week."
While Flood is currently in possession of the England No.10 shirt and Farrell is waiting in the wings, there are plenty of others throwing their hats into the ring for the spot.
Tigers youngster George Ford has long-been earmarked as a future international, while Danny Cipriani is back from his Australian exile with a number of points to prove.
Farrell, however, believes Flood, who has 50 caps and was England's most senior player on the South Africa tour, remains the standard-bearer.
"I've taken a lot of things from Floody. He's been around for a while and he's not even that old, he's only 26," said Farrell.
"He's very experienced and he knows what he's doing, you take as much as you can off people like that."
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Comments
by Oadbylad
Sunday, July 29 2012, 7:41AM
“Lancaster dropped OF when in charge of the Saxons ..because his kicking out of hand was poor
(and brought on Ford) and now hes done the same in the senior squad ?
Lancaster moved him to centre both for the Saxons and the full team and he didnt have good game there ...and lets face it he should never play there again not with A. Allen about
Theres no doubt the kids a great talent fantastic boot he can pass a ball but as very poor vision Hes now got the chance to improve his game now his dad as moved from Sarries
But for Ford it could be his defining season (and this is where Tigers have a conflict ie. game time) if hes going to be the England no. 2 and as this as to be any young up and coming players goal he might need to move on to get first team starts
Because hes the all round package...as is Flood when on top of his game and injury free”
by City_C10
Friday, July 27 2012, 9:13AM
“Flood is a great player but there is no harm in a bit of competition. It should make him want to work harder to keep his place as Owen is showing he can hold his own as well!”