Flood began the autumn internationals at No.10 but a toe injury forced the Leicester fly-half to miss December’s famous win against New Zealand and he has played second fiddle to Farrell ever since.

The victories over Scotland, Ireland and France all saw Farrell start in the Red Rose shirt but a thigh injury saw him limp off against les Bleus with Flood, 27, seeing England home.

And with head coach Stuart Lancaster unlikely to take any risks as England pursue a first Grand Slam since 2003, Flood insists he’s itching for a return.

“This is what happens in rugby,” said Flood.

“You want to play as much as possible, but where I am is obviously a fair reflection of where the team is going.

“If you get injured or lose your place you have to wait for your chance to get out there.

“If that’s the case it will be a disappointment for Owen but up to me make sure we do the business and to do enough to keep the shirt.

“Hopefully, he’ll be running around next week and taking part. At the moment, I am on tenterhooks to see where I get to.

“I said to someone the other day, it would have affected me had I had 10 or 15 caps but I can cope with it. It’s an evolution of the team and you also understand where you sit in the order of things.”