Johnson’s lesson is crucial to Ford drive
EXCLUSIVE By
GEORGE FORD earned a recall to the England fold after taking a lesson out of the legendary Martin Johnson’s book – ‘be ready at all times’.
Fly-half Ford has been brought into Eddie Jones’ squad following a serious ankle injury to Owen Farrell, which has ruled the Red Rose captain out of the Six Nations.
Ford (above) was overlooked for Jones’ initial squad but with injuries piling up – and following an outstanding season with Premiership leaders Leicester – the 28-year-old is back in.
His dad Mike Ford, who has served on the coaching staff with Ireland, England and the British & Irish Lions, said: “Regardless of whether George got picked for England, he wasn’t going to train or play any differently.
“Therefore, I’m more proud of him for that than actually getting back in.
“When you don’t get picked it’s easy to take your bat and ball home.
“George hasn’t done that – he’s gone about his own business, prepared the best he can and got over the niggling injury which plagued him last year.
“And he’s gone on to steer Leicester to the top this season by playing really well.
“When Martin Johnson was coaching England, he used to say, ‘You just need to be ready’, and I get what he was saying.
“That’s a great lesson because you can’t go round sulking, blaming other people or finding an excuse.
“You need to be ready, and George certainly is. If anybody wants to question George’s fight or desire to play for England, they should look at his performances.
“They speak for themselves and he doesn’t need to say anything in the press.
“Whether it was now, after these Six Nations, or in the autumn, I think George would have got back in at some point.
“There was no way I would have thought he’d played his last Test.
“If George gets an opportunity in these Six Nations, I’ve no doubt he will take it.”
England face sworn enemies Scotland at Murrayfield in Saturday’s opener and Ford Snr believes victory over Gregor Townsend’s men can set the visitors up for the championship.
He explained: “If England win at Murrayfield then – with no disrespect to Italy – they should go to Rome the week after and make it two wins out of two.
“They then have a week off before playing two consecutive home games, against Wales and Ireland, where they would be on a roll.
“Then it’s a trip to
Paris on March 19 and, the way France’s fixtures are as well, you can see that being a Grand Slam game.
“But if England lose the first game at Murrayfield, they’re then behind the eight-ball going into their first home match at Twickenham against Wales. Then it’s squeaky-bum time.
“The Six Nations is all about momentum and the first two games are huge.”