Flood is favourite for the fly-half berth against Scotland at Twickenham on February 3 - and he underlined his credentials with a 21-point haul as Falcons staged a thrilling fightback to defeat Guinness Premiership title contenders Leicester on Sunday.

Flood clinched the 31-29 victory by booting a 50-metre penalty in the final minute, denying Leicester top spot after leaders Bristol saw their scheduled appointment with Northampton postponed.

The 21-year-old also added a try, two conversions and three earlier penalties - leaving Falcons rugby director John Fletcher purring about the twice-capped Flood’s Six Nations prospects.

Fletcher said: “Toby has to be in with a shout when it comes to being in the England team or the squad for the Six Nations.

“Given the other contenders, he has to have a real chance - and he will be able to handle it. He has two international caps and approaching something like 50 appearances in the Premiership.

“He’s also pretty level-headed and knows what he is about.”

Flood revealed his last-gasp heroics were achieved in new boots.

“My boots cracked during the week, so I had to get some more on Saturday,” he said.

“Most players don’t like playing in a pair of boots they haven’t worn before. But I didn’t really have much choice - because my other ones were trashed, so I just gave them a go and thankfully the result went our way.”