Six Nations: Tigers coach savages Stuart Lancaster for misuse of Youngs and Flood

England’s interim head coach Stuart Lancaster has come under fierce criticism from Leicester over his handling of out-of-favour half-backs Toby Flood and Ben Youngs.

Leicester’s head coach Matt O’Connor claimed Lancaster and his England management team are not interested in creative players and just send the team out “trying not to lose”.

Flood has been released to play for Leicester this weekend after dropping behind Owen Farrell and Charlie Hodgson in England’s stand-off pecking order.

Youngs is expected to be involved in England’s RBS Six Nations game against France in Paris on Sunday but he has lost the starting scrum-half jersey to Lee Dickson.

Tigers chief O’Connor is furious, claiming England’s handling of both players has led to an unnecessary “self-doubt” which is affecting their form.

“We consistently score the most tries in the Premiership because of those two blokes,” O’Connor said. “They just provide the rest of the team with so many opportunities.

“But the powers-that-be at England have not fully appreciated what they can offer a team.

“England don’t want creative players, they are just trying not to lose. If that is what they are trying to achieve, you can understand why Flood and Youngs are not the best blokes for the job.

“But, if you are going out there to win a game, it has got to be Flood and Youngs at nine and 10.

“There is nothing I have seen so far (in the Six Nations) that indicates England want to go out and beat teams.

“Under the current structure, I cannot see that changing.”

O’Connor’s criticism of England’s attacking game stretches beyond their treatment of Flood and Young, with the Australian claiming Lancaster and assistant coach Andy Farrell are wasting their best attacking threats.

“Chris Ashton, Ben Foden, Toby Flood and Ben Youngs have won England every big game they have won in the last 18 months against the good sides,” O’Connor said.

“At the moment, you wouldn’t know that Ashton and Foden are on the field. Those guys, along with Manu Tuilagi are as good a back line as there is anywhere in the world but they never see the ball. That is an issue for the RFU to address. If you are talking about building a side for the World Cup in 2015, you have to go out and play.”

O’Connor’s comments conflict with the attacking philosophy Lancaster has said he is trying to build with the new-look squad.

England battled to dogged wins against Scotland and Italy but showed more attacking endeavour in their 19-12 defeat to Wales at Twickenham two weekends ago.

Meanwhile, France half-backs Francois Trinh-Duc and Morgan Parra have been dropped for the England game after an erratic team display during last weekend’s 17-17 draw at home to Ireland, a result that cost Les Bleus any chance of the Grand Slam.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has handed ex-Leicester scrum-half Julien Dupuy the No 9 shirt, with Toulouse’s Lionel Beauxis featuring at stand-off.

Saint-Andre has otherwise retained the side on duty against Ireland, including centre Aurelien Rougerie, who had been expected to miss out after an error-strewn display against Ireland.

Victory for France over England would keep them in the Six Nations title hunt ahead of facing Grand Slam-chasing Wales in Cardiff on Saturday week.