Former England fly-half Toby Flood has named George Ford as the greatest number 10 in world rugby currently, as he claims that the Sale Sharks fly-half doesn’t get enough recognition.
Speaking to AceOdds about England’s recent tour to America, Flood said: “I thought they played really well and looked really sharp. George Ford was George Ford; he’s probably been as good a 10 in the world for a decent stretch now and probably doesn’t get the recognition.
“It also showed there’s a lot of talent coming through too. It was really pleasing to see England continue on an upward trend.
“Now you’re in a situation where they’re going to come back now with those results under their belt, and people will be expecting big things in the autumn.”
Ford number one
Flood explained that even though Ford was the only England playmaker who didn’t make the British and Irish Lions, he can’t see Steve Borthwick looking past the 32-year-old for the national side.
“I can’t see past George Ford at this time. It’s unbelievably ironic because we had the two lads, Fin and Marcus, on a Lions tour, then suddenly they get usurped by a guy who’s playing, technically, a tier down.
“That was partly down to Owen Farrell being called up. If I were either Fin or Marcus Smith, I would be annoyed that Owen, a guy who hasn’t played rugby for two years, comes in and sits on a bench. That’s wrong because he’s not going to be on the next Lions tour.
“You would have liked to see Fin or Marcus Smith play a Test match by being on the bench at least. If Andy’s decision was that they weren’t ready for Test match rugby, then don’t take them in the first place. Take George Ford.
“I think that George is exceptional. I can’t see past those three being in the team really. I’d be surprised if Borthwick brought back Owen.”
Expected England line-up
Naming his expected England playmakers, Flood said: “It’s going to be Marcus, Fin and George. It would then be George and Fin at fly half, with Marcus being that sort of hybrid player that he’s starting to become, whether he likes it or not.
“He’s becoming an Austin Healey, who was a wonderful player by the way. He’s that guy who is perfect on the bench, which is terrible for him.
“Because when you watch Marcus in the Premiership, he’s fantastic.
“If Borthwick is smart, which he is, he’ll position it to them all that how they start the season will be all important and have a big bearing on where they sit in the fold.”
Lions leadership
Returning to the subject of Andy Farrell, Flood noted: “I’ve always admired Andy Farrell – he gets the best out of people.
“I’ve always admired him as a coach. He gets the best out of people. He has a way and a mannerism to make people understand what the requirements are. He fits being an international coach really well because you can only bang the drum so many times in the manner he does.
“Where people admire him highly is his ability to get the best out of people and create an environment. He’s done that exceptionally well.
“When he does bang the drum, especially on a Lions tour, he creates a pull or a draw for people to do a little bit, work a little bit harder.”
Admitting that Farrell played it safe with selections of Irish players in Lions Tests, Flood said: “He didn’t go to anyone he didn’t really know. I think he definitely relied a bit on the Irish guys.
“But then Gatland did exactly the same thing. He always fell back into who he knew best.
“He and Andy have always picked people they know, and they can trust because it’s their reputation on the line as well. So, they’re not going to pick somebody that’s maybe a 50-50 call. I do think he was overly reliant.”
Six Nations
Finally, looking ahead to next year’s Six Nations, the 40-year-old considered: “‘It’s arrogant if you say England are best placed, isn’t it?! I’m intrigued by France, because they didn’t do what they should have done in New Zealand. Ireland are getting close to the cusp of having peaked as a side.
“You would like to see Wales win a proper Test match and put some sort of spirit back into the Welsh club game. England look really well placed.
“Scotland will be interesting. Gregor Townsend seems to be doing a really good job. They had lots of Lions. Can they keep that flow and keep that positivity in Scottish rugby?”