RWC 2015: Do not rush into decision on Stuart Lancaster says Toby Flood

The fly-half would also like to see the 'special circumstances' rule removed

Stuart Lancaster defended his captain Chris Robshaw after Saturday’s loss ( (Reuters)

3 key questions: The view from abroad

Toby Flood (Toulouse)

1. Should Stuart Lancaster keep his job as head coach?

Maybe, but I wouldn’t be scared of having an overseas coach and I could see why change might happen. But don’t decide in the heat of the moment.

It was a big error to lose Martin Johnson after 2011. Stuart should be given a chance to make a pitch. The players admire the open environment he has created.

I think the pressure and the fear got to the players a bit, especially after a one-in-a-million try by Wales. They had to get ahead against Australia, but they didn’t.

2. Should Chris Robshaw remain captain?

What should be done is what Stuart did well, post 2011: get the squad together and pick the captain on merit.

England need a pool of four or five guys to choose from who are just that little level above the others, and will always play when they are fit.

3. Should England stick with their policy of not picking players based abroad?

It gives England control over their players, but is it too much of a comfort blanket? I have learned a lot as a player by being in France. Steffon Armitage and Nick Abendanon came to the fore on the back of big European games, playing in France.

As for the policy, it would work better if England got rid of the “exceptional circumstances” clause.

I was told by Stuart Lancaster that if I was playing well, he would be able to bring me into this summer’s 50-man long squad. It helped me decide to go to Toulouse.

As time went on, that decision changed and hardened.

Toby Flood plays for Toulouse. He has 60 England caps