Blackadder keen to hold onto Ford

Editor

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder has revealed that he wants fly-half George Ford to remain at the Premiership club for years to come.

Blackadder admitted, however, that there is little he can do to retain Ford’s services. The 23-year-old England pivot revealed that he was unhappy over the way his father Mike was dismissed as Bath’s director of rugby in June.

This has led to speculation that he will leave the club at the end of the season with Leicester, Northampton, Worcester and Sale among the clubs said to be interested in acquiring his services.

“Whatever George decides to do in future is his decision and I will respect that,” Blackadder told The Rugby Paper.

“Things happened here last year but everything I’ve spoken about with George is about how much he’s enjoying his rugby and the environment here. If that changes at the end of this season, we’ll just have to deal with it. My preference would be to make George a part of Bath’s future, but whatever happens you make the best of every situation and my job is to make this club successful, no matter what happens to him.”