Sale boss addresses George Ford’s worrying injury with the Six Nations looming

Fly-half George Ford will miss this weekend’s Champions Cup encounter against the Stormers after suffering a knee injury.

The 30-year-old sustained the issue in Sale Sharks’ 21-17 defeat to Northampton Saints in the Premiership and was duly absent for their next match against Bristol Bears.

It is another concern for Steve Borthwick, who has likely lined up the Sale pivot as Owen Farrell’s successor following the England captain’s decision to step back from Test rugby.

Fly-half battle

Harlequins star Marcus Smith has been in better form than the Sale playmaker this season, but Borthwick is a big fan of Ford and the Sharks man fits into his game plan.

England’s head coach will have therefore been pleased by the assessment of Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson, who remains positive over the fly-half’s prognosis ahead of the Six Nations.

“He didn’t travel (to South Africa) because he needs injections in his leg, in his MCL (medial cruciate ligament), to stiffen it up,” Sanderson said.

“I would have loved him to be here, but he just wants to do what is best for his knee, for us and for England – if selected – so he had two injections this week.”

Even if Ford makes the start of the Six Nations, it is not the greatest preparation for either England or the player, especially with the Sale fly-half still searching for his best.

He has struggled at times since returning from the Rugby World Cup, especially off the kicking tee, while the Sharks’ attack has also failed to fire.

Borthwick will certainly hope that Ford makes the final round of the Champions Cup next week, where the Greater Manchester outfit take on defending champions La Rochelle.

Should the playmaker also be absent for that clash, he could miss a month of rugby prior to the international tournament starting, with his last game coming on December 30.

Sanderson is staying optimistic, though, and when asked about how England supporters should feel, he responded: “They’ll be excited. They’ll be very excited. He’ll be fresh.”

Injuries mounting up

Following the end of the World Cup, the Red Rose arguably had the most depth at loosehead and fly-half, but circumstance has rather changed that.

England have been absolutely decimated at prop, with the World Cup trio of Ellis Genge, Joe Marler and Bevan Rodd currently all on the sidelines.

Added to that, Mako Vunipola is suspended, although the ban will end just in time for the start of the Six Nations.

Meanwhile, at fly-half, Borthwick had incredibly strong options, with Farrell, Ford and Smith all top-class operators.

However, the former has decided to step away from Test rugby and could well be absent for the next two years after it was reported that he was ‘close’ to signing a deal with French side Racing 92.

Ford’s injury and potential absence would therefore leave Smith as the man in possession of the shirt but, should anything happen to him, that would be a real blow.

Fin Smith appears to be the next in line after an outstanding campaign for Northampton Saints in the Premiership and Champions Cup, but he is still very inexperienced.

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