1.
Former Rishworth pupil George Ford is on fire. He has bagged himself the
captaincy of the under 18 and under 20 England rugby squads, on top of being
nominated for Young Sports Personality of the Year and having 10 caps for the
England international team.
Rugby star George Ford has a chance to prove his status as one of the world’s
most promising fly-halves. This Saturday’s encounter with France at Twickenham
could be down to the class of the English 10, who needs his game to be at its best
for England to stand a chance of winning the six nations. Last year’s heartbreak at
the Stade De France cost England dear - they know full well how dangerous the
French are especially with Phillipe Saint-Andre and their two centres Mathias
Basteuread and Wesley Fofana.
With Ireland’s encounter at Murrayfield and Wales taking on Italy before the
England game, the results should give England an idea of what points total they
need to beat the two other contenders to the crown in World Cup year.
With the half-back duo of Ford and Ben Youngs proving to be a very deadly
partnership, the England game depends if they bring their ‘A-game’ to the pitch
this weekend.
Ford, who is a mercurial and diminutive presence in any team he plays in, started
playing Rugby League at the age of five and played in the academies of Wigan
Warriors and Bradford Bulls, before moving to union along with his father Mike
Ford, a Rugby League legend. After a stint at Leeds Carnegie, he joined Leicester
at the age of 16 where his Rugby League talents were evident.
Last year was his first senior debut for his country and he did not disappoint setting up Captain Robshaw for an expertly-taken try against Italy. This year he
took over the reins at standoff, replacing the injured Owen Farrell for the six
nations and has never looked back since carrying the red rose ever closer to a first
six nations in 5 years.
George Ford’s successes leaves die hard England fans excited for what the future
will bring for George and the team with this being World Cup year.