The news of Toby Flood’s injury is not good, by all accounts – he’s had a scan on the medial ligaments in his knee today, and there’s a chance he’ll miss most of the season.
We’ll obviously know more once the scan results have been confirmed, but there are suggestions that he could be out for between 6 and 9 months. That would throw the Tigers deeper into an injury crisis, with their fly-half cover looking slightly thin – Jeremy Staunton isn’t generally regarded as an able replacement, young Joe Ford is a little on the inexperienced side for a strong European campaign and Billy Twelvetrees hasn’t had much game time at 10 either.
Flood’s injury is also bad news for England. He had just about usurped King Jonny as the starting fly-half, but is now very likely to miss the Autumn Internationals, which leaves Johnno short of options at 10.
If Jonny stays fit, he’ll no doubt step in, but the cover is slightly lacking. Charlie Hodgson, Shane Geraghty and Stephen Myler are all in the Saxons squad, so you’d assume one of those would be called up, but that doesn’t necessarily instil confidence.
Hodgson and Geraghty have both been tried and then dropped, whilst Myler’s display for Northampton against Leicester at the weekend left a little to be desired.
And then there’s Olly Barkley, relegated from the England setup after the Australia tour, and told he needs to work on his defence. Why Geraghty and Hodgson are above him in that regard is slightly mystifying, but perhaps Flood’s injury could be an opportunity for Barkley return.
My England pecking order of those likely to be in contention in Flood’s absence would be:
1. Wilkinson
2. Barkley
3. Geraghty
4. Hodgson
5. Myler
What do you think?
Leicester’s loss of Vesty now looks even more important with this piece of bad news.
I agree. There could be a few irritated Tigers fans if Vesty is playing well at Bath…
Wow, depressing news for England, he must be gutted. I’m a big fan of Flood, he gets better and develops every season and makes the England backline click. Is it impossible for us to go through one autumn campaign without being decimated by injuries and forcing the coaches to start from scratch AGAIN?
Hodgson above Geraghty IMO.
I think you can ill afford to leave Flutey out of the list!
I reckon Flutey could be in with a shot, especially with Wasps playing him at 10 this season. Barkley is probably the the best option though I highly doubt Johnno will bite the bullet and ask Barkley for help. The way Vesty has started with Bath has been brilliant – and maybe enough to play himself into contention?
I can’t see Flutey being picked at 10 for England. I suppose he could be drafted into the squad as cover, but it’s unlikely I’d say.
Vesty could well be in with a shout, and could well make the World Cup squad by the end of the year. Leaving the Tigers might have taken him down a rung or two in Johnno’s eyes though!
Personally I think Vesty’s move to Bath was amazing for him (and potentially England) and to be honest, as a Bath fan I’m kind of hoping that Johnno doesn’t realise the true potential of the likes of Barkley and Vesty. I don’t think Johnno will view Vesty too badly for his move to Bath – bare in mind he has been picking a lot of Bath players for the EPS over the last year or two, and Vesty is playing some good rugby. If I had to put money though on who I reckon Johnno will call up for cover, it’d have to bet on Hodgson :(
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/sep/08/toby-flood-knee-injury
Two months out, not as bad as first feared. Good news for Tigers, England and obviously the man himself!
That is good news. From an England point of view, I guess he’ll miss the Autumn if he’s only just starting to play again, and then he’ll have to find some form to get back in the reckoning for the 6N.
At least it’s not 9 months!