Steve Borthwick has been told he must win a 'minimum' of three games at this year's Six Nations to relieve some of the pressure on his back.
The England head coach came under fire after going on a five-game losing streak before breaking that spell against Japan at the end of November.
The victory over Eddie Jones' side did little to quell the noise surrounding Borthwick's position as England head coach heading into the Six Nations.
It was only in 2022 that Borthwick signed a five-year deal, keeping him in the job until 2027.
Steve Borthwick has come under increasing pressure
PAThe RFU decided to back Borthwick at the end of last year, but former England international Flood feels that pressure will only increase if the 45-year-old struggles at this year's Six Nations.
“Steve Borthwick is absolutely under pressure. He needs something in this tournament, something concrete," Flood told Instant Casino.
"In my head, I am automatically thinking he needs to win the three home games minimum although those days of England being bankers at home have gone.
“Let’s put it differently. He needs three wins of any sort anywhere minimum and if there are two defeats they need to be narrow.
“England need to turn a corner. If they were to beat ‘only’ Italy and Wales in this tournament it would look a bit poor again and lots of serious questions would be asked.
"It's become very difficult for him.”
Danny Care is more optimistic about England's chances under Borthwick this time around as he feels the young squad have learned some valuable lessons from last year.
"They're getting there. In the autumn they learned some really hard lessons, but lessons you almost have to go through as a younger squad," Care said.
Toby Flood feels Steve Borthwick must win at least three games
PA
"I feel they'll be a better team come this tournament for what happened in the autumn.
"You sometimes learn more about your losses than you do your wins, and if England can just slightly turn the dial a little bit in that last 10 or 20 minutes and find ways to win these big games, then everybody better watch out because the squad depth and potential in that squad is massive.
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