Flood ready for Cardiff

The 21-year-old Flood keeps his place in the starting line-up after an impressive try-scoring display in the victory against France last weekend.

Flood was forced off with a dead leg late in the game and his replacement Shane Geraghty then came on to set up the winning try with a dazzling break.

But England coach Brian Ashton has kept faith with the young Newcastle Falcon, although he is likely to use Geraghty off the bench again.

With Geraghty, and the injured Jonny Wilkinson also pressing for selection, Flood knows that he will have to produce another commanding performance to keep hold of the number 10 jersey.

"I'm pleased with how it went last week and it's great to be in the squad again, but against Wales we will have to do the basics well, do the hard yards," said Flood.

"We all know that we have to earn the right to play in our shirts.

"The Millennium Stadium is a fantastic place to play and Wales are a very good team. They move the ball very well and they have a very strong defence - they work hard for each other."

Ashton's side appear to have turned a corner in the type of rugby they are trying to play and Flood is keen to buy into his coach's approach.

"I love playing the style of rugby that Brian (Ashton) wants us to play," he added.

"I've always enjoyed playing that way so it's something I'm used to and confident with - obviously though there's a time and place for it."

Flood will have Matthew Tait outside him and was quick to reject any notions that his Newcastle team-mate will be suffering nerves after his last outing at the Millennium Stadium.

Tait, who replaces the injured Mike Tindall, made his England debut in Cardiff two seasons ago and was dropped after a number high-profile tackles by Gavin Henson.

"I thought Tindall played really well last week, everyone did, and it's a shame for him to be out," said Flood.

"But I'm looking forward to playing with Taity though. We've grown up playing together, he's a player I have a huge amount of respect for.

"I see him do fantastic things with a ball every day at training so I'm sure he'll have a great game. He has a very strong mentality so any talk about Wales two years ago is like water off a duck's back with him."