Together with partner in crime Ben Youngs, the English half-backs have helped orchestrate an attack that has reaped ten tries in contrast to France’s five.

But France’s half-backs have also been impressive with fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc setting up Imanol Harinordoquy’s try against Scotland with a flamboyant pass through the legs and Morgan Parra booting Marc Lievremont’s side to victory against Ireland.

And while Flood concedes they are chalk and cheese in terms of style, the 25-year-old maintains the French pair’s achievements in the 2010 Six Nations give them the edge in the battle for supremacy.

He said: “They have won the Grand Slam and are defending champions so by default they are the best two half-backs in the northern hemisphere.

“Ben and I are very different to Trinh-Duc and Parra in terms of actual playing style but I like to think we are just as effective.

“They are both world-class players in my eyes in regards to what they can do and how much the side relies on them.

“Parra’s been a fantastic player and Ben is very similar to him in how he sets people up running from the base.

“Obviously Trinh-Duc pulled off the through-the-legs pass so he seems fairly capable of setting people up. That is the sort of thing we all dream about and fairly play to him for carrying out but that does show implicitly how good France are.

“I am sure it will be more down to the battle up front as it always seems to be between the two sides.

“If you win that battle then you get the ability to play.”

Despite seeing Chris Ashton run in four tries and morale boosting scores for Mike Tindall and Mark Cueto against Italy, Flood put his side’s dominance down to the pack that silenced pre-match talk of the dangers posed by Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni.

Flanker James Haskell and debutant prop Alex Corbisiero were picked out by Flood who claims their recent form demonstrates England’s strength in depth.

“Our pack was outstanding on the field,” added Flood. “Their work rate and their off the ball movement was simply superb.

“I think we were guilty sometimes of forcing the ball but you know how hard the guys work and it was a joy to play behind them.

“James Haskell was superb. All credit to him. He’s been behind Crofty for a while and of course he is currently injured so it was down to James to take his chances and I feel he did that.

“The line breaks were superb and it’s off that sort of platform that the rest of the team can play.

“That itself shows the quality and depth of the side. Corbs (Alex Corbisiero) is another case in point and he deserves all the plaudits he gets. The boys did not bat an eyelid when he was called into the side in place of Andy (Sheridan) and that is the way it should be.”