Toby Flood is refusing to let the England's absentee list cloud his thoughts ahead of Newcastle's Premiership opener against Sale.
Newcaslte fly-half refuses to let England cloud his thoughts
Toby Flood is refusing to let England's growing absentee list cloud his thoughts ahead of Newcastle's Guinness Premiership opener against Sale Sharks on Sunday.
The 22-year-old fly-half has been linked to a call-up to England's World Cup squad after Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley were both struck down by injuries.
Wilkinson has a damaged ankle and already missed the USA game, while his deputy No.10 Barkley - whose performance was one of the few positives against the Americans - has been sidelined by a hip injury.
The injuries have forced coach Brian Ashton to name Andy Farrell as makeshift fly-half to face the South Africans.
Attention
But Flood, the natural option to come into the squad if either Wilkinson or Barkley are ruled out long term, is focusing solely on playing for the Falcons.
He told the Newcastle official website: "I've been training with the Falcons for the past month or so after being released from the England squad, and Sunday's game against Sale is where all my attention is.
"You do pick up bits and pieces in the press and obviously we have a couple of Newcastle players out there with the squad who have been in regular contact, but you can't let it affect you so I've just been training hard with the Falcons and maintaining my focus on what will be a tough game against Sale.
"It's a relief in a sense that it's finally been decided I'm here for this weekend, and that the uncertainty aspect has been removed. I can now keep preparing for a huge match at Kingston Park without any distractions, and the boys are all ready for a big start to the Guinness Premiership season."
