Ford in the right gear to become England’s best number 10

It is easy to assume that England’s George Ford would become a test international. He is arguably their best number 10 and will surely get his chance to prove that during these Autumn fixtures, with a tough challenge from Australia still to come.

That will be his reward if he excels against Samoa; a match he has been given the nod for by head coach Stuart Lancaster, and one that England are odds-on at 1/33 to win. There was no doubt that rugby would become a central part of his professional life, the only question is, what code he would pursue.

Although Father Mike played rugby league for a whole host of clubs including Oldham, Wigan, Castleford, South Queensland and Warrington to name just a few, he is also currently the Head Coach at Bath rugby union, where he is mentoring son, George.

It is a partnership that has seen father, blooded by the tough, hard, gruelling code of rugby league pass on these ethics to his son, and combine this with the natural skill the Ford junior already had in his locker.

Ford senior, further strengthens this case, and although older brother Joe plays for Sale Sharks, he conceded that it was the younger of the two who always had the drive.

“He’s always had that driving passion,” Ford said. “When I was coaching Oldham rugby, it would be throwing it down and Joe would probably stay at home having a shepherd’s pie and George would come with me in the rain kicking and passing the ball. He’s always been that hungry.

“He was like this since he was four years old. It’s who he is. The guy packs his bag the night before; the guy who is sitting at the bottom of the stairs for an 8am meeting at 6.30am. The number of times his mum and I have been sat in carparks an hour before we should be because he wanted to get there early.”