Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has hinted that Toby Flood is the favourite to be named as the club's new captain.

The 27-year-old sported the armband on several occasions towards the end of last season in place of injured skipper Geordan Murphy.

However, with Murphy since retiring from the game, Cockerill admits that Flood is in a good position to keep hold of the leadership.

"We are currently discussing that with Toby," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury. "With Geordan retiring, it opens the space up and, doing the job last season, it brought the best out of Toby, so he is a strong contender.

"But I need to discuss whether he wants to do it, and there are also plenty of other guys, like Geoff Parling, Tom Croft, Jordan Crane, Dan Cole and Louis Deacon, who are all leaders in the squad and are possible options too. We have a lot of leaders in the squad.

"You also have to balance out who you want to do the job with who is likely to be away during the international period. I have always said that the captaincy is not an overly important part of the side. It is a focal point, but the leadership within the team is the most important thing for us and there is plenty of that."

Leicester begin the defence of their title at home to Worcester Warriors on August 8.