Toby Flood says he has endured one of the worst weeks of his life ahead of England's Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday.
England centre enduring worst week of his life ahead of Ireland game.
Toby Flood says he has endured one of the worst weeks of his life ahead of England's Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday.
After suffering a humiliating Calcutta Cup defeat in Scotland last weekend, Flood then witnessed his Newcastle and England team-mate Jonny Wilkinson dropped for the team to face the Irish at Twickenham.
Things got even worse for Flood when Newcastle boss and long-term mentor John Fletcher was axed by the Falcons, leaving the 22-year-old in a state of stunned disbelief.
Flood openly admits that he has suffered a week from hell, with the departure of Fletcher from Newcastle being the major disappointment.
"It has been one of the worst weeks in my life, I have to admit," Flood said.
"To lose to Scotland and then find out a few days later about a guy who I have played rugby for since I was 11 years old and literally has followed me through my career, is just devastating.
"It is upsetting, and I know a lot of the guys at the club are very upset at what is going on.
"There is a huge kind of turmoil up there at the moment and a huge amount of anger."
Relationship
"I think he (Fletcher) knew it was coming in the sense his relationship had broken down with the chairman.
"But we had no idea, and to find out was a huge shock.
"When you speak to a guy who has been a rock in your career, it suddenly gets very emotional down the phone when you speak to him.
"It is hard being down here with what is happening up there.
"It is going to be hard going back up later this weekend, and him not being around, but I will definitely stay in contact with him."
Fletcher was youth development officer when Flood first came under his direction, and the England man will be sad to return to Kingston Park without him.
"He was very much handed that squad and he was building it," Flood added. "The signings he made have been top-notch, and we were looking good.
"For anyone to lose their job is bad enough, but in a professional sport where there are such close links and the guy has been such a mentor to me, it's even harder to take.
"I will know more when I get back home.
"I am guessing a little bit at the moment, but I know speaking to players this week there are a lot of upset people there.
"We are all quite worried by what is going on."
England focus
Flood will now have to regain his focus for the game against Ireland at Twickenham, where he will have Danny Cipriani alongside him at fly-half instead of Wilkinson.
"I've not played alongside Danny before," Flood added.
"These things can sometimes take time, but Danny is a very good player who has played well this season.
"It is a case of him just slotting in there really, and just bringing what he brings to the team.
"Danny has got all the exuberance of youth, you can see he has got that spark about him. He will try things off the cuff."
"Jonny has been one of the top players in England, and for him to be dropped it must have taken a long time for the coaches to say so.
"Brian has said he thinks his form has been inconsistent but, to be honest, you could say that about the whole team."
Even more worry for Flood comes in the form of a knee cartilage injury which could require surgery this season, although he insists it has not been the reason for any below-par performances.
"I have been pleased with parts of my form and disappointed with others. Sometimes, I've found it very difficult to put my mark on the game, and it has been hugely frustrating.
"Overall, it has been good in parts, but I have been disappointed with other bits and pieces.
"I am fine to play this weekend, but more than likely I have got a bit of cartilage floating around my knee that's loose, so it is probably going to be an operation some time soon."
