English Rugby
Flood saddened by Farrell exit
ESPNscrum Staff
April 16, 2012
England's Toby Flood tries to unleash the backline in training, Soccer Dome, Greenwich, London, February 7, 2012
Toby Flood was hoping Andy Farrell would stay on © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Toby Flood

Fly-half Toby Flood has expressed his disappointment over Andy Farrell's decision to leave the England coaching staff, describing the departure as "a big loss".

Farrell rejected the chance to join Stuart Lancaster and Graham Rowntree on a full-time basis with England to return to the ranks of Saracens. Flood, who played a pivotal role in Leicester's defeat of Northampton in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday, said he was saddened by the news.

"Having played with Andy and seen how he coaches, he looks as though he has taken to it like a duck to water. The way he inspires the guys and his ability to get the best out of people will be a big loss, but I guess the RFU have a couple of other coaches in their sights.

"It was one of those things that you thought those three (Lancaster, Rowntree and Farrell) would come as a package. But obviously Andy felt it was not right in terms of his evolution as a coach.

"It will be a shame not to have him there, but we still have Graham, who's an outstanding coach, and Stuart who has run the team really well," he said.

Former Northampton coach Wayne Smith continues to be linked with to role vacated by Farrell after helping New Zealand claim last year's World Cup as an assistant to Graham Henry.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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