How George Ford put Lions snub behind him to achieve ‘ultimate goal’ for England he set aged 16
England fly-half George Ford praised by his dad, Mike.
Eyebrows were raised by George Ford’s omission from the British and Irish Lions squad, but it allowed him to achieve something very special in an England jersey.
Having missed out on the Lions’ trip Down Under to face the Wallabies, the Sale Sharks fly-half was picked to play for England in their summer tour of Argentina and the USA.
Ford featured in all three Tests and the opening game against the Pumas saw him reach a century of Red Rose caps.
Landmark game
That monumental landmark was something he had worked his entire career for, having made his debut for Leicester Tigers as a 16-year-old way back in November 2009.
Ford’s professionalism and the way he responded so impressively to his Lions snub came as no surprise, but it was to be applauded all the same.
Ford’s dad Mike, who has served on the Ireland, Lions and England coaching staff, told Planet Rugby: “Shortly before the Lions squad was announced on May 8, I sent George a text.
“I said ‘whatever happens today doesn’t change the way we think of you. We think the world of you and love you very much’.
“George replied, saying ‘Dad, whatever happens today, nothing changes. I’m still going to go out and prepare as best I can for my next game’.
“And the following day he went out and performed superbly for Sale at Leicester… but I don’t think I would have done that.
“I would probably have spent a couple of weeks feeling sorry for myself.
“Yet George showed how incredibly professional he is before going on tour with England in the summer.
“That’s the way he is and we’re so proud of him for that. I’m still learning from him now with the way he is.”
As the Lions headed to Australia, Ford packed his bags in readiness for the two games against Argentina and final Test against the USA.
The opening Test on July 5 saw the 32-year-old become only the eighth male England player to reach a century of Test caps.
Dad Mike travelled with youngest son Jacob to the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi in La Plata to see it happen.
Ford Snr continued: “Originally, all the family were going to go out when it looked like George could win his 100th England cap.
“His wife Addy (Atdhetare) and their young daughter, Alarnia, and my wife Sallyanne were all going to make the trip.
“But George said ‘it’s too far, it’s not good for the baby girl’ so Addy and my wife went to Spain with Alarnia while Jacob and I went to Argentina.
“I knew it was a special one but I had prepared myself for mixed emotions because England weren’t favourites to win.
“Argentina had just beaten the Lions in Dublin and beat New Zealand and South Africa last year, so I was thinking ‘oh my word, it could be bittersweet if George gets his 100th cap but they don’t win’.”
He need not have worried.
After holding off the toothless Pumas for 40 minutes to lead by three points at the break, England then took charge as Ford inspired a second-half masterclass to win the first Test 35-12.
Sale’s Tom Roebuck scored twice and Freddie Steward of Leicester also notched a try in the space of nine minutes.
Argentina hit back with two scores of their own but, marshalled superbly by Ford, England showed composure and defensive fortitude to keep their hosts in check.
Ford added two penalties to stretch England’s lead before Harlequins wing Cadan Murley completed the job with a well-taken try five minutes from the end.
Ford Sr said: “Jacob and I were watching it and I said to him ‘I can’t believe how much control England have’.
“They absorbed the pressure in the first half and then blew Argentina away in the second half.
“It was such a special day for George because I know what he’s like.
“Winning his 100th cap was great but he needs to win.
“The way England did that – and the way George led them – made it a very special day.
Electric atmosphere
“The atmosphere in the changing room afterwards was electric and it was a great weekend – one that won’t come around again.
“When he was 16, George wrote down his ultimate goal to win 100 England caps and he’s achieved that.”
Ford helped Borthwick’s men to victory in the second and third Tests against the Pumas and the USA – and should be on the England scene for some time yet.
His father added: “George has plenty more to achieve yet for his club and country. He has 102 England caps but will always want to keep achieving.”
READ MORE: British and Irish Lions team-mates erupt over Josh van der Flier’s brutal response to Jac Morgan
