Toby Flood shown the door by England

Toby Flood's England career looks officially over after George Ford was confirmed as his replacement in Stuart Lancaster's Elite Player Squad.

Bath playmaker Ford is the only change to Lancaster's squad, with Freddie Burns keeping his place alongside first-choice outhalf Owen Farrell.

England head coach Lancaster said: “We have kept changes to a minimum because we believe this squad can take us forward into 2015.

“I am delighted for George, who is rewarded for his form for Bath and we are excited about including him in the senior Elite Player Squad.”

Leicester outhalf Flood will join Toulouse in the summer, and England do not select overseas-based players.

So Lancaster has chosen to jettison the former Newcastle man now rather than in the summer.

Flood’s England career therefore appears to be over after winning 60 caps, while former Leicester man Ford steps into the squad on a full-time basis.