A chat with Toby Flood as England launch their new kit

Ahead of England's new kit launch today, we caught up with with Toby Flood to get his thoughts leading up to the Autumn Tests, his feelings on his personal development, and his thoughts on social media. This is what he had to say.


RD: Exciting few weeks ahead – ready for some bruising encounters against the likes of the All Blacks and the Springboks?

TF: Definitely, there is nothing like tests against the best in the world and the guys are really looking forward to it. We’ve had a good couple of weeks training so hopefully we can get out and play with in good spirits and get on top of them.

RD: The fans want to see some of the flair that can be seen in the Premiership - Is there a feeling that the squad will play a more expansive style this autumn?

I hope so, I think we’ve got the personnel to do it, obviously weather depending, it’s the autumn so it always difficult but we like to think we can go out there and chuck the ball around and have a real good crack at them so it’s definitely the plan.

RD: Who would you like to have playing alongside you at 12?

I don’t really mind. There has been a few knocks and bumps from the last Premiership games so we’ll have to wait and see, but obviously it’s always pretty competitive there so it’s up to the coaches. I’ll just keep my head down and see who it is!

RD: What are your thoughts on twitter and most importantly, do you tweet?

No, I don’t tweet at all, and I am not of Facebook either. By all accounts it seems to be good fun but it’s not for me.

RD: Is your preparation mentally quite different for test rugby than club rugby?

Not really, I think I’ve learnt a lot in the past few years, playing quite a few high profile games and stuff and most of the time it’s just the same - I want to sit back and enjoy it and have fun and I think that’s really helped me as a player so the key is not to get to wound up and excited about these things and just to go out there and crack on!

RD: What’s it like having a guy like Jonny Wilkinson breathing down your neck?

It’s awesome really. He’s a good bloke, a good guy to hang round with and obviously pretty competitive too so all in all he’s a great competitor – he tries hard and always wants to be the best he can be.

RD: Which element of your game have you improved the most in recent times?

All of it really, probably the mind set – probably my psychological side of things in terms of control, like controlling the game and controlling the environment we’re in. I think that’s been the biggest step forward due to the environment I’ve been playing rugby in and also myself maturing as a player and a person so I think the psychological side of things have definitely taken a step forward.

RD: Thoughts on Gavin Henson being brought into the Saracens setup as a flyhalf?

I guess it’ll take him time to get back onto the field because of the programme but ultimately he’s a guy who will be playing at a very top level again and who is a very good player.

RD: On that note, would you ever take part in Strictly if asked to?

(Laughs) No, I have just got no ability to move what so ever!

RD: Any words of encouragement for Phil Vickery after his gutting news?

He was one of England’s great rugby players and a great guy to have around so it’s incredibly sad. He’s had a very good run and he’s been world class for some time, its shame that it has to come to an end but he’ll always be remembered very fondly.

RD: What do you think of the new England kits?

I saw both kits for the first time a couple of months ago now at a Nike photo shoot and that was really cool, I really like it. Most of the guys have tried it on and there have been lots of really good responses so all in all it’s a good piece of kit and hopefully England will be as successful wearing it.

Below are two videos that feature the new England home and away kits. The first is the launch teaser, the second, a behind the scenes look. You can find out more, as well as purchase the kits, at nikestore.com/rugby

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