WE’VE SCOT TO BE READY FOR A FIGHT
Ford revved up for a fiery Cup clash
GEORGE FORD is expecting another “niggly and frosty” Calcutta Cup battle when England bid to take a big step towards a Six Nations crown.
Six years on from the infamous Murrayfield tunnel bust-up, Steve Borthwick’s men face Scotland on Saturday week expecting another fierce encounter.
England will be desperate to end a three-match losing streak against the Scots, having managed just a single win in the last six games between the two teams.
But they will also come across opponents who will still be simmering after a controversial last-gasp loss to France.
So tensions and adrenalin will be running high and fast beforehand.
But it is something Ford insists he knows plenty about.
The fly-half was a central figure in 2018 when Ryan Wilson’s “broken bones” comment towards him developed into a locking of horns between the Scot and Owen Farrell, followed by a mass brawl between the two sets of players.
Recalling the incident (below), Ford said: “Ryan Wilson? That was a few years ago now. Bloody hell! It’s always a niggly game. Especially up in Murrayfield when you’re an Englishman going up there and going down that tunnel.
“They’re frosty, those England-Scotland games, they’re right up there.
“Jokes aside, we’ve got to make sure we’re ready for that stuff.
“It’s the beauty of going up to Scotland and trying to win. All those things come into it and matter, so we’ll make sure we’re ready.”
It has the ingredients to be an explosive showdown, which will throw up further evidence whether or not this new-look England side has what it takes to be title contenders.
While Ford admits the Scots have had England’s number recently years, he is excited for the clash.
“Scotland away is our next challenge and it is always a great one,” added Ford.
“But we know exactly what the Murrayfield challenge holds for us, especially the way Scotland are playing at the minute. It’s a huge Test match. “They, Ireland and France are the teams that have been playing really well for the last few years.
“But we want to keep improving and winning, so there’s no better thing than to come up against Scotland next and then the other two after that.
“If you’re beating those teams you’re doing something right. That’s what we’ll try and do.”