Flood hails open England regime

Fly-half Toby Flood has praised the improved communication that manager Martin Johnson has installed since taking charge of the England team.

The Leicester man has appreciated the steps taken by the England camp to ensure national team players remain in close contact with the coaching staff, even when on club duty.

Flood told BBC Sport: "You used to have to wait a while to see what was happening with England.

"Now you feel closer to the set-up and get instant feedback, which is great."

Flood is a member of Johnson's 32-man England elite squad for the autumn internationals, which start at Twickenham against the Pacific Islands on November 8.

He believes confidence within the squad has been improved by the developing dynamic between the players and coaches.

"Most of the time we speak on the phone, but there have been a few occasions that Jon Callard (kicking coach), Mike Ford (defence) and Brian Smith (attack) have come to see me in person," Flood said.

"That definitely fills you with a bit more confidence. It means that when you meet at camp, the ball's already rolling and you're not just getting used to all the ideas.They ask for your viewpoint and how you think the match went."

Flood, 23, is due to battle it out with Wasps rising star Danny Cipriani for the number 10 shirt but has reminded Johnson he could also do a job at inside centre.

"I'd be happy to play in either position," he remarked.