Phil Vickery backs Toby Flood decision

Former England captain Phil Vickery has said that head coach Stuart Lancaster has made the correct decision in dropping Toby Flood due to the player's form.

The Leicester Tigers fly-half will join Toulouse in the summer, which will see him ruled out of international action due to England's preference of selecting domestic players.

"I don't think that's the biggest issue, it being based around him leaving and potentially going to France," Vickery told BT Sport.

"I think that should be a decision based around form. Toby is an excellent player, but I don't think he has ever quite played his best rugby with England.

"You cannot command the club captaincy at Leicester without being a quality player and a good leader. He has had a lot of opportunity with England, though, and never really cemented his place."

George Ford has replaced Flood in England's Elite Player squad for the Six Nations.