Philosophical Ford eager to please

Editor

George Ford is eager to run out for his country against Uruguay despite being dropped by coach Stuart Lancaster for two crucial games.

Ford was picked by many as the favourite to wear the number ten jersey at the World Cup following his superb form in the Six Nations.

While Ford started in the opening match against Fiji, Lancaster picked Owen Farrell to start in losing efforts against Wales and Australia. 

Farrell was picture perfect off the kicking tee but left question marks over his attacking ability and distribution. 

Lancaster has now gone back to Ford for England's final game of the tournament.

"We're on the biggest stage in a World Cup in our own country, so of course you want to put your best foot forward and perform as well as you can," the 22-year-old told thegaurdian.com.

"We wanted to pick some good results up, give this a real shot and challenge to win the thing. We've come up short by a long way but we will take it on the chin and this week it's another game for our country and we're excited to go up to Manchester and play with this team that has been picked.

"Every player wants to start and back themselves to do that, but the coaches pick a team to win that week. You understand that, you get your head around it and you prepare as well as you can because anything can happen.

"You could be told you’re on the bench then something could happen and you could be playing so you don't want to leave yourself short of preparation time. In terms of that situation, the management pick the team to win the game that week and everyone from 1 to 31 backed it 100%."

In terms of England's early exit, Ford is hoping it can be used as a stepping stone for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

"It's not nice at the time but hopefully we’ll look back on it in four years time thinking we learned a hell of a lot there and come out of it as better people and better players," added the Bath pivot.

"That's the big thing for us now…to learn from it, take it on the chin, front up to it, be honest and not dress it up in any other way but come out of it as better people and better players."

England play Uruguay in a dead rubber match at Manchester City Stadium on Saturday.