England
George Ford '100% ready for international rugby'
ESPN Staff
February 12, 2014
George Ford is in the England squad but is yet to feature in the Six Nations © Getty Images
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Bath head coach Mike Ford and scrum-half Peter Stringer have thrown their weight behind George Ford's bid for international rugby.

George Ford has been in the England training squad for the Six Nations but is yet to get his chance on the bench. With Owen Farrell England's first choice fly-half, Ford is the next in line but Stuart Lancaster has favoured Alex Goode on the bench during the championship.

But for Mike Ford, George's father and former England coach, he feels the fly-half is "ready" for Test rugby.

"George has been playing rugby since he was four and it is all he knows," Mike Ford told the Times. "I think he is proving himself this year. There are always a lot of questions for him to answer, a lot of boxes he has to tick, and I think he has answered them and ticked them all."

Stringer is no stranger to Test rugby having played 98 times for Ireland and he too has backed George Ford to make an impact on the international stage sooner rather than later.

"He is a guy 100% ready for international rugby," Stringer said. "I'd have no doubts of him not performing if they put him in there. He is 20 years of age, but seems like a guy who has been playing at the top for a number of years.

"He seems so much more experienced than his age lets on. He is one of those people who drives the standards of performance. He is always looking for guys to be at their best and for such a young guy to have those qualities of leadership is pretty unique."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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