Toby Flood to leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the season, confirms director of rugby Richard Cockerill

Cockerill confirmed that the England fly-half will leave the club when speaking before the match against Saracens

Toby Flood will leave Leicester Tigers at the end of the season (GETTY IMAGES)

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has announced club captain Toby Flood will leave Welford Road at the end of the season.

Cockerill ended speculation over the 28-year-old's future by hinting strongly that he is bound for France.

"It's a lifestyle choice for him and his wife. We move on," Cockerill told BT Sport before Leicester's Aviva Premiership clash with Saracens today.

Toulouse is reported to be Flood's destination with Leicester interested in Freddie Burns or Rhys Priestland as his replacement.

The move away from Welford Road will end a six-year association for Flood at Leicester and also means England head coach Stuart Lancaster looks likely to be without the experienced fly-half ahead of the 2015 World Cup, unless Flood has an international release clause built into his contract.

PA