Flood backing Paris upset

England linchpin Toby Flood insists the World Cup finalists will hold a strong psychological advantage in the Six Nations clash against France next Saturday.

England linchpin Toby Flood insists the World Cup finalists will hold a strong psychological advantage in the Six Nations clash against France next Saturday.

The Newcastle centre will win his fifteenth cap against Les Bleus at the stadium where England beat the same opposition four months ago in the World Cup semi-finals.

And the youngster is full of confidence as Brian Ashton's men attempt to move their championship assault up a gear.

“No one wants to lose to the English but to lose twice is definitely a thing that could be playing on their minds,” said Flood, speaking to the Daily Mail.

“They have made a lot of changes so you don't know whether those guys will be thinking about it.

“The French have been fantastic in this tournament and gave us a good game in the World Cup where we just snuck it in the end. This time I am sure they will come out all guns blazing.”

Flood, who was a late call-up to the 2007 Webb Ellis tournament squad, has however, admitted that the pressure is on England after an unconvincing start to the Six Nations.

“We know that we have to win in Paris but it is going to a huge effort,” he added.

“We have to go there positive, with the ambition to win the game. It is a tough place to go but we have been victorious there in the past.

“Everyone wants to beat the English, in any foreign stadium in the world.”