Flood: I kept the faith

Toby Flood has reflected on a frustrating recent period on the sidelines after earning an England recall for the second Test against South Africa.

Stand-off never doubted he would get another England chance

Recalled England fly-half Toby Flood has reflected on a frustrating recent period on the sidelines ahead of Saturday's second Test against South Africa. The Leicester star has ousted 20-year-old Owen Farrell from the stand-off role as Stuart Lancaster's side seek revenge for last weekend's 22-17 defeat in Durban. Flood, 26, said: "There are some times when frustration boils over and you get a bit down with certain situations. "But the great thing for me was to have the ability to go back to the club and keep my head down there. I also spoke to Stuart before the start of the Six Nations in terms of where I sat. "I never had any doubt in terms of where I was and how he perceived me but I had to realise other guys were going to get their opportunities and it was a task for me to try to chase them down. "There wasn't a huge amount of soul-searching in that respect but it is never easy seeing other guys playing. That was the hardest thing for me, watching the guys play so well out in France and beat Ireland from the sofa. It's never an easy thing to do."