Flood: England’s final to lose
FALCONS’ ACE: WILSON & CO CAN LIFT CUP
TOBY Flood is backing England for Rugby World Cup glory on Saturday, the same day his Newcastle Falcons side hosts Jersey Reds at Kingston Park.
Flood was part of the England side which fell to South Africa in the 2007 final - but the 60-cap fly-half believes the class of 2019 will bring home the Webb Ellis Cup.
The 9.00 kick-off from Yokohama forms the perfect start to a day which sees the Falcons kicking off later.
Buzzing about the prospect of an English victory, the Northumbrian said: “It’s just an exciting time for rugby, especially on the back of that semi-final performance against New Zealand.
“I honestly think we’ll win it. There’s a huge amount of hope around English rugby as a result of what the guys have done out there and I’m backing us to bring it home.”
Having tasted Rugby World Cup final agony in Paris 12 years ago, the Falcons’ star (right, in his 2007 kit) said: “I just remember being sat on that pitch after the final whistle and saying to Mathew Tait we need to get back here again to go one better.
“It did not quite work out for me because in 2011 we fell at the quarter-final stage. However, he added: “I think this current squad will go one better. “It is basically the reverse of when I played in the 2007 final in that we are the favourites in many people’s eyes.
“We were underdogs back then and I think most observers just thought we had done well to get to the final - but I feel like it is England’s to lose now.”
Flanker Mark Wilson (left) is representing the Falcons in Japan prior to his seasonlong loan move to Sale Sharks, Flood speaking of his delight at the Cumbrian’s involvement.
He added: “It is great to have Mark over there showcasing the club, and he really deserves it.
“He is a really humble bloke who has had to battle for everything throughout his career.
“He fought hard to become an England mainstay throughout the autumn and the Six Nations and even when a bit of a niggle saw him missing out on the World Cup warm-ups he has hung in there and got on with it to fight his way back.
“Like everyone else I was jumping up and screaming when he came on from the bench and won that turnover last week against New Zealand and if he does have another opportunity on Saturday I have 100% confidence he will take it.
“He is going out on loan to Sale Sharks when he gets home but we could be welcoming home a Rugby World Cup winner when he comes back to us for the 2020-21 season.” Saturday’s final serves as a warm-up for the Falcons as they aim to extend their six-game unbeaten run.
His side winning 21-8 against Jersey on the opening day of the season in Championship Cup action, Flood added: “Jersey were a good team when we played them over there and they were very physical. They were really combative, they battled for every minute of that game and made life very difficult for us.
“They are a good solid outfit who have operated at this level for a while now and they know what they are about. They had an excellent result at home to Doncaster last weekend, they nilled them and scored a bonus point and they have been right amongst it over the past few years. “They have a good pack, some strong inside backs and some dangerous guys on the edge who can finish things off.”
We could be welcoming home a Rugby World Cup winner when he comes back to us for the 2020-21 season
Toby Flood on Mark Wilson