- Toby Flood speaks to RFU TV about the challenge in France
- Playing against France in France is huge says Leicester Tigers fly half
England fly half Toby Flood is savouring the opportunity to deny France the Grand Slam when the two sides meet in the closing game of the RBS 6 Nations in Paris.
Leicester Tigers star Flood replaces Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) against Marc Lievremont’s side and has re-established himself as a key member of Martin Johnson’s squad after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Heineken Cup semi-final last season.
Flood, 24, will win his 29th cap at the Stade de France and says the magnitude of the game is a source of inspiration for Martin Johnson’s side.
Speaking exclusively to RFU TV, he said: "Playing against France in France is huge and we go there with the knowledge of what an important game it is for us but also how important it is for the French.
"We can use that as inspiration and as a weapon to get the result we want to achieve.
"As a squad a lot of the guys have beaten France in the last couple of years and we have to go there with the knowledge that we can win there."
Flood’s promotion to the starting 15 is one of six England changes and he added that the squad has always known places were up for grabs throughout the RBS 6 Nations campaign.
"It was always made very clear in terms of the squad that there were opportunities for places and as an EPS squad you understand there is always a big push towards those starting places."