England turn to Flood after Flutey injury blow

By Alex Lowe

Saturday, February 06, 2010

ENGLAND have been forced into a late change ahead of their RBS 6 Nations clash with Wales today after Riki Flutey was ruled out with a dead leg.

Flutey took managed to take a blow to his right thigh during a non-contact training session at England’s Pennyhill Park base yesterday and has been replaced at inside centre by Toby Flood.

Shontayne Hape, Bath’s uncapped former New Zealand rugby league international, could make his England debut after being promoted to the bench.

Flutey, a Test Lion last summer, missed the autumn Test series with shoulder surgery and his return was seen as key to unleashing England’s newly-crafted attacking game plan.

Flood’s inclusion changes the dynamics of England’s midfield and his defence will be tested against Wales’ powerful centre Jamie Roberts.

Johnson said: "It is a blow because we picked Riki to play but the good thing for us is that Toby can play Test rugby in two positions.

"He has played a lot of Test rugby at 12. He played in a World Cup final.

"He has a good kicking game, he is very strong defensively, he can carry the ball well and can offload. He has a good all-round game to play at 10 and 12 at this level.

"Of course you don’t want to lose a guy on a Thursday when you have picked him, but it happens in rugby."

Wales are not without injury worries of their own, with the loss of hooker Matthew Rees and loose-head Gethin Jenkins denying them the chance to field an all-Lions front row. Scrum-halves Mike Philips and Dwayne Peel are also out.

Nonetheless, Wales attack coach Rob Howley has rallied Wales by declaring: "It is time to deliver".

"We have to take the confidence and momentum we feel we have gained over the last 14 months or sos," said Howley. "It’s important we turn up with a huge amount of belief."

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, February 06, 2010