Blackadder: We want Ford to stay and build a dynasty
TODD Blackadder would love George Ford to be the cornerstone of Bath’s bid to dominate English and European rugby for many years to come.
However, the club’s Kiwi director of rugby concedes he may be powerless to prevent his playmaker-in-chief going elsewhere.
With Ford understood to be unhappy over the manner of his father Mike’s dismissal by Bath in June, speculation is rife that he will depart next summer, with Leicester, Northampton, Worcester and Sale among the England man’s likely suitors. Blackadder told The Rugby Paper: “Whatever George decides to do in future is his decision and I will respect that.
“Things happened here last year but everything I’ve spoken about with George is about how much he’s enjoying his rugby and the environment here. If that changes at the end of this season, we’ll just have to deal with it.
“My preference would be to make George a part of Bath’s future, but whatever happens you make the best of every situation and my job is to make this club successful, no matter what happens to him.”
Blackadder’s late arrival over the summer has not prevented Bath from being among the Premiership’s early pacesetters.
The former All Black lock concedes he has been pleasantly surprised, citing the quality of the club’s academy as a driving force.
“I’ve been really impressed by the squad I inherited,” Blackadder said. “There are experienced players but what’s really been key is that even though we’ve had injuries, we’ve given young guys opportunities and they’ve rewarded us.
“Guys like Zach Mercer and Tom Ellis, who we threw in at loose forward, have done really well, along with Max Clark at centre.
“Tom Dunn and Charlie Ewels, both academy products, have been good and it’s so important to build on the work the academy’s doing.
Blackadder is not so enamoured with the marathon, 39-week, domestic season that he feels threatens player welfare.
He explained: “My view is the competition is too long and having to put a team out every week is not good for player welfare.
“When you’ve got Premiership, Europe, Anglo-Welsh and A-League there’s a lot to focus on and I think we could do things a lot better.
“It’s hard to get radical change, but you’d like to free up more time in the calendar and it would be good to give people a break at some stage.”