Boy George Ford will man-up for England says Peter Stringer

Stuart Lancaster has challenged George Ford to show he can handle the international stage – but the Bath prodigy has already proved he’s tailor-made for the England shirt, according to the man with the best seat in the house.
Ford’s inclusion at the expense of Toby Flood was the one change to Lancaster’s Elite Player Squad this week and with Freddie Burns told to find his form with the Saxons, the 20-year-old Burns is set for his international debut from the bench in Paris at the start of next month.
Lancaster admitted it was the maturity of Ford’s performance in Bath’s 27-27 draw with Leicester that sealed his call-up – demonstrating he can keep a cool head while still bringing his full array of tricks.
But his Bath half-back partner Peter Stringer believes that while Ford is softly spoken off the pitch, he’s already a Test match animal on it.
“He speaks and he acts like a very experienced guy who has played at the international level yet he hasn’t quite yet,” said Stringer, Ireland‘s most capped scrum-half with 98.
“He doesn’t shy away from things and takes responsibility. In a position like out-half you have to have a dominant figure and he certainly is that.
“He has an array of talents across the board, not just his kicking or passing, and he is constantly bringing them out.
“George is still very young when you think about it but he plays with so much confidence and is a really great guy to have.
“He chats really well and in my position it is great to have a guy demanding the ball from me and telling me where he wants it and when.
“He seems to do the right things at the right time and has plenty of options to his game. He can produce the whole package at different times.
“We must remember how young he still is but how experienced he is when he steps up to the mark in the big games just like against Leicester. He trains extremely hard and puts himself under great pressure with his kicking and demands the highest standard.”
Stepping out of Flood’s shadow at Welford Road, Ford has featured in all 12 of Bath’s Premiership matches this season, starting all but one and showing the consistency Lancaster had previously asked.
The 36-year-old Stringer, who racked up hundreds of appearances for Munster and Ireland inside Ronan O’Gara, believes Ford’s abilities make him a dream No.10 for any scrum-half.
“It is obvious there are a few big calls to be made within the England set-up but I suppose I have no doubt that should he be called upon he will be up to the job,” added Stringer.
“He has the attitude and the ability to perform at the highest level, I have no reservations about that.
“From my point of view when you are trying to get a ball out of the bottom of a ruck and your head is stuck inside it, that communication outside you is great.
“During scrums and line-outs there is a lot of chat as to where the ball should be and that helps me communicate that to the forwards.
“George is very eager and keen and is so vocal and makes my job easier. We have worked hard at our relationship in the six months we have been together and it is going well.”
Bath head coach Mike Ford says his son George’s decision to leave Leicester and join him at the Rec has been vindicated by his selection.
“He’s justified the decision by getting into the squad,” said Mike Ford.  “Last year George took a great leap to leave Leicester, the champions club to make things happen for himself.
“When he was world junior player of the year, most of the team he was part of went on to get senior caps and he is one of the last ones.
“Now that he is in the squad, it’s a great advert of a young kid making something happen rather than waiting for it to happen.”
RYAN WALTERS