Ford ready for frosty welcome in Scotland
ENGLAND STAR HOPES TO REVERSE A TREND
GEORGE FORD is bracing himself for another “niggly and frosty” Calcutta Cup battle when England bid to take another big step towards a potential 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 with rivals who have won the past three meetings between the sides.
England fly-half Ford was a central figure in 2018 when Ryan Wilson’s comment towards him about breaking bones developed into a locking of horns between the Scot and Owen Farrell, above, followed by a mass brawl. Ford said: “Ryan Wilson? That was a few years ago now. “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 post-World Cup England side really has what it takes to be title contenders.
Ford added: “Scotland away is our next challenge and it is always a great one. 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.
“For various reasons, they have had our number for the last few years. They are a dangerous team but we want to stick to our plan and not give the opposition what they want.
“They’re obviously trying to impose what they want on you too. It’s a real battle, and a lot of it comes down to who wins the game physically and with their intent and attitude.
“You have to be good with the ball off the back of those things. We’ll prepare as well as we can.”
Centres Manu Tuilagi and Ollie Lawrence, plus lock George Martin and hooker Luke CowanDickie, are to rejoin the squad today after missing the Six Nations wins against Italy and Wales.