England call on Flood to replace injured Noon

England have summoned Newcastle back Toby Flood to join their World Cup squad.

Flood is due to arrive at the team's base in Versailles later today as

replacement for his Falcons colleague Jamie Noon.

Noon suffered a knee ligament injury during England's 36-0 World Cup record

defeat against South Africa last Friday, and he will now head home.

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Noon is expected to be out of action for around six weeks, and Flood - an

effective operator at fly-half and centre - was the obvious choice to take

over.

Flood, 22, produced a man-of-the-match display in Newcastle's Guinness

Premiership victory over Sale Sharks yesterday. He also provides England head

coach Brian Ashton with another goal-kicking option.

Flood was desperately unlucky to miss out on Ashton's original 30-man World Cup squad, especially after producing an outstanding RBS 6 Nations display against France at Twickenham last season.

And Flood's presence would also help alleviate any further fly-half problems

given that Jonny Wilkinson and Olly Barkley both missed the South Africa game

due to injuries.

Both Wilkinson and Barkley though, are on course to regain full fitness in time for next Saturday's crucial Pool A clash against Samoa in Nantes.

Ashton has also put Sale prop Stuart Turner on temporary standby, should

anything happen this week to England's three available props - Matt Stevens,

Andrew Sheridan and Perry Freshwater.

England captain Phil Vickery is still banned for the Samoa game, and Turner

will just act as cover if any further front-row issues arise.