Geordan Murphy voices support for George and Mike Ford

David Skippers

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Geordan Murphy has stood by George and Mike Ford after the pair received criticism from Sam Burgess.

Former rugby league convert Burgess this week launched a scathing attack on the pair, who were his former team-mate and head coach at Bath. George also played alongside Burgess for England during 2015 in a short international career that ended after the Rugby World Cup.

Burgess told the House of Rugby podcast he felt his former boss was a “snake” while saying fly-half Ford “would not talk to me, he was a bit sulky”, after the Great Britain rugby league star was selected ahead of him for England at the home tournament five years ago.

Both Fords are now with Leicester while Burgess has retired after returning to the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Australia, with Murphy weighing in on the subject in an interview with Leicester Tigers TV, admitting he was surprised at the timing and nature of Burgess’ comments.

“It is really strange and it has come at a strange time to be dragging things up from five years ago,” Murphy said.

“I have known Mike Ford for a very long time, I’ve known George Ford for a very long time. Mike coached me when I was an Ireland player. He has been through the world of rugby. He is incredibly experienced. He has been great for me in my role, in his support of me.

“And George as well has been incredible for Leicester throughout his entire career. He has got a hell of an amount of caps, he is renowned as being an unbelievable team man. So to have bits and pieces dragged up is slightly confusing.”

He continued his support, adding: “I’m certainly very confident that both of those guys are very, very well received at Leicester and they are doing a great job. So it’s not really for me to comment on that any more than for me to say that I’m very happy with the two Fords.

“People always have opinions and that’s life. For whatever reason people say different things and we are just very happy to have both of the guys, we are very confident that they add to our environment.

“As I said, Mike has been great for me personally and a great support over the last couple of seasons and longer. I have known both guys a long time and they are both good human beings.”

Leicester Tigers