Flood for England - Fletcher

John Fletcher is adamant Toby Flood is the man to take England's number 10 jersey.

Newcastle boss John Fletcher was in no doubt as to who his match-winner was against Leicester, tipping Toby Flood for a Six Nations starting berth.

Along with Shane Geraghty, Flood is one of two fly-half options for England's opener against Scotland, with the game likely to arrive too soon for club colleague Jonny Wilkinson.

The Newcastle man put forward a powerful argument for his selection against the Tigers, kicking a 79th-minute long-range penalty to hand the Falcons a 31-29 victory.

"Toby has to be in with a shout when it comes to being in the England team or the squad for the Six Nations," said Fletcher, after watching Flood pick up a 21-point haul.

"Given the other contenders he has to have a real chance and he will be able to handle it - he has two international caps and approaching something like 50 appearances in the Premiership.

"He's also pretty level-headed and knows what he's about."

Flood's nerve held firm to cap a superb comeback from the Falcons, who fought back from a 26-13 deficit to triumph.

"We pride ourselves on the character in this squad and we know we will always keep on going.

"I've said it before that any side can beat any other side in this league but it's very rare that you beat Leicester by anything more than one score.

"I've told the lads not to go overboard because the result could have gone either way and let's not forget we are at Welford Road in three weeks' time."

Leicester head coach Pat Howard brushed off the disappointment of defeat, which prevented his men leapfrogging Bristol at the top of the Premiership.

Howard is unconcerned with the missed opportunity, insisting no medals are handed out in January.

"It doesn't matter who is first or second in the table at present, it matters who is in the top four at the end of the season," he said. "And we're in the right part of the table.

"Europe is now the focus and that's what we're thinking about, not whether we are first or second in the Premiership.

"The result was disappointing but Newcastle took their chances well and deserved their victory."