British and Irish Lions snub claims Premiership award giving Andy Farrell possible selection regret

Sale Sharks and England star George Ford has won the Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month award for April with 36% of the public vote.

Ford beat Northampton Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell and Leicester Tigers duo Adam Radwan and Jack van Poortvliet to confirm his spot as the best player in the league.

British and Irish Lions rejection

The 32-year-old’s confidence would’ve taken a major hit on Thursday when he was snubbed from the British and Irish Lions squad of 38. This award, however, will send a clear reminder to head coach Andy Farrell that he has a world-class 10 ready and waiting, if the opportunity arises.

Many, including former Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll, have claimed that Ford was desperately unlucky not to have made the initial squad, particularly after also missing out on selection in previous years.

History will tell us that the initial Lions squad selection is never the final one, however. With two months to go until the first Test, there is plenty of time for things to change within the squad. Injuries often occur, particularly as the Premiership season draws to a close. Tired bodies are asked to step up the intensity after a long and arduous season as their clubs battle for the big prize.

The key, for Ford, is to continue putting his best foot forward between now and then, and ensure that he’s ready if selection does come a knocking.

The fly-halves hoping for Lions call-ups

In the case of an injury within the squad, Ford will be waiting by the telephone with bated breath.

As far as Andy Farrell’s choices go for replacement fly-halves, he has multiple options to choose from. He could look at his own son, George’s old schoolmate, Owen, or the Irish contingents, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, both of whom he has worked with in the Ireland squad in recent times.

Ford hasn’t worked under Farrell since 2015, when the 49-year-old was working as assistant coach to Stuart Lancaster in the England camp, but his performances over the past month speak for themselves. Having been nothing short of phenomenal during Sale’s destructive away win over Harlequins, Ford should be in prime position for selection should an injury occur.

READ MORE: Loose Pass: Where do Leinster go from here after unwanted four-peat?

Philip Madeley, Risk Analytics Consulting, Digital, at Gallagher, said: “It is a pleasure to award George with the Gallagher Player of the Month Trophy. He has played to a very high standard so far this season and has proven to be an integral part of the team on numerous occasions.”

Gallagher Premiership Player of the Month winners so far

The winners so far this season:
September – Max Malins (Bristol Bears)
October – Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears)
December – Ben Curry (Sale Sharks)
January – Santi Carreras (Gloucester Rugby)
March – Tomos Williams (Gloucester Rugby)
April – George Ford (Sale Sharks)

The shortlist was voted for by a panel of media professionals.

The judges for the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season are: Jill Douglas (ITV, BBC), Ali Eykyn (TNT Sports), Hugh Godwin (i), Chris Jones (BBC), Alex Lowe (The Times), Gavin Mairs (Telegraph), Ugo Monye (BBC, TNT Sports), Nick Mullins (TNT Sports) and Claire Thomas (BBC, TNT Sports).

Of the winners so far, it’s worth noting that only Tomos Williams has made it into Farrell’s 38-man Lions squad.

READ MORE: Lions: Brian O’Driscoll backs Maro Itoje to succeed in ‘next level’ challenge