Flood to miss England's Six Nations opener

Leicester Tigers coach Richard Cockerill says five-eighth Toby Flood is likely to miss the start of England's defence of the Six Nations because of injury.

Flood, who was expected to be England's starting No.10 following Jonny Wilkinson's decision to retire from international rugby, damaged ligaments in his knee in Leicester's win over Sale in the English Premiership last weekend.

Cockerill told local newspaper the Leicester Mercury on Friday that Flood "tweaked his ligaments and is likely to be out for four to six weeks."

Interim England coach Stuart Lancaster could name either Charlie Hodgson or Owen Farrell, who are team-mates at English club Saracens, at five-eighth for the team's opener against Scotland on February 4.