Leicester's Toby Flood sinks rumours he has already signed for Toulouse

Toby Flood, right, has dropped down the England pecking order and moving abroad would dent his hopes further (Pascal Guyot/AFP/getty images)

Toby Flood has denied reports that he has signed for Toulouse and will definitely be leaving Leicester. The England fly-half had already been heavily linked with a move across the Channel to join Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon.

Flood, who has spent five years with the Tigers, tweeted yesterday: “Just seen all these rumours flying around. To confirm, I’ve not agreed to anything and as I’ve said before I will decide in January.”

His contract at Welford Road expires in May and his departure to warmer climes would bring to an end his international career.

With 60 caps to his name he is one of the most experienced players in the red-rose set-up but the 28-year-old has seen his chances in Stuart Lancaster’s side reduced to being Owen Farrell’s understudy.

Toulouse have confirmed that France fly-half Lionel Beauxis will be leaving the club at the end of the season and they seem to have identified Flood as a replacement.

Leicester seem resigned to losing their No 10. The Premiership champions have held talks with Gloucester’s Freddie Burns and Rhys Priestland of the Scarlets.

The Saracens hooker Max Crumpton has joined Harlequins on loan and will on the bench against Bath today. Three of Quins’ four hookers are injured, so the 20-year-old has switched from a loan spell at Plymouth Albion.

Exeter will try to stop a run of five defeats when they host Newcastle this afternoon. Scotland scrum-half Mike Blair returns for the Falcons.

Ashley Johnson will start Wasps’ home game against Northampton after being sidelined for three weeks. Mathew Tait returns from ankle trouble for Leicester’s visit to Saracens.