FORD PLEA AS ENGLAND LOOK TO PICK UP PIECES
GEORGE FORD says England are even more motivated going into this Six Nations than they were in 2016 when stung by World Cup humiliation.
Every Six Nations played immediately after a World Cup has been won with a Grand Slam, with England continuing the sequence four years ago when out to prove a point.
This time Eddie Jones’ side reached the final rather than making history by being dumped out of their own World Cup in the pool stages, yet Ford believes the memory of their battering by South Africa will galvanise them.
“People talk about Grand Slam winners post World Cups being driven by having a point to prove and we were that team after 2015,” said the fly-half.
“This time the circumstances are different but you could almost argue that getting to a final and not winning makes you feel even worse.”
Ford knows the pattern of history, that the Six Nations tournaments of 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 were won with clean sweeps – by France,Wales, Wales again and England. He also knows what it will take.
“It’s our job to be hungrier than ever, to make sure there is no hangover,” said the Leicester star. “To take the good things from where we are at the moment and want to improve. I still think there’s growth in us, I still think there’s improvement but you don’t deserve anything in this game. The game’s not going to give you anything on a platter. You’ve got to go and make it happen again.
“Of course, there are times when you sit back and reflect but, instead of thinking it is a clean slate and let’s start again, we are going to build on what happened at the World Cup. That has to be the mindset.
“I know that I, for one, came back from Japan hungrier than ever to kick on both as an individual and as part of this England team.
“I’m pretty sure that will be the case for the majority of the lads and I’m sure Eddie will be brilliant in making sure we do that.”
England open their campaign against
France in Paris on
February 2.They will do so with new coaches supporting Jones; Matt Proudfoot as forwards coach and Simon Amor given the keys to the attack.
“I have loved working under Eddie,” said Ford, an ambassador for Land Rover.
“The way everything is never the same, the way we’re
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT was picked in Wales’ Six Nations squad yesterday as new coach Wayne Pivac bowed to public pressure by calling up Gloucester’s tearaway teenager. The in-form wing will still be 18 when the Dragons begin their title defence against Italy on February 1.
He could make his debut against the Azzurri at the Principality Stadium after turning down an approach from Eddie Jones to nail his colours to the England mast. “You just have to check Louis’ always trying to improve, the way we train, prepare. Our tactical clarity going into games is the best I’ve ever been exposed to.That challenges you, which is great because you want to get even better.”
GLOUCESTER have been dealt a heavy blow with the loss of Danny Cipriani for up to eight weeks with a torn calf. social media page,” said Pivac. “There is a big Welsh flag. He is Welsh through and through.
“I’m a great believer that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He’s maturing as a player at a very young age. He’s got gas, which at the top level of the game you can’t beat. He’s a great finisher.
“He’s not the finished product, but it will be great to get him in the environment. We believe he has a great future.”
Pivac was wary of the dangers of exposing Rees-Zammit, left, to the