FORD PUTS HIS TIGERS IN DRIVING SEAT

STEVE BORTHWICK saw George Ford make a mockery of his England snub – and thanked his lucky stars the fly-half is at Leicester.

Ford scored 20 points in a masterclass but opposite number Dan Biggar gave Wales an injury scare when he failed to appear after half-time due to an ankle injury.

Biggar, who was ineligible to play for Wayne Pivac’s side against the All Blacks yesterday because he plays in the Premiership and the game was out of the Test window, was set to face South Africa next Saturday.

The 92-capper will join Wales to today to be assessed.

Ford (below) showed he was in the mood with a 50-22 kick from under his posts in the early stages and even played at No.9 when Richard Wigglesworth was sin-binned. He smashed home a 40m dropgoal and kept Saints out even when Tigers were down to 13 with Wigglesworth and No.8 Jasper Wiese yellow-carded. Tigers coach Borthwick said: “He was absolute class. You look at his ability to kick a 50-22 from under his own posts, it is just fabulous. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to coach him – but it is me who learns from him.” Saints were 27-5 down at the break, with Leicester’s Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo scoring twice to help them get a bonus point by the 35th minute.

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell inspired a mini-comeback but Ford’s mastery guided the visitors to their biggest league win at Franklin’s Gardens.

Replacement scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet grabbed two tries at the death and by the time another Fijian back, Kini Murimurivalu, scored the seventh the hosts were toast.