Mike Ford: There’s more English talent down at the Recreation Ground
Tries from Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph and 11 points from the boot of man-of-the-match George Ford helped England get off to a winning start in Cardiff – and saw the Bath trio enter the record books.
Only once before in the Five or Six Nations – against Wales in Cardiff on January 7, 1893 – have three different players from one club scored all of England’s points in a match.
Bath head coach Ford was on hand to see history being repeated and he sees no reason why Kyle Eastmond, or even wings Semesi Rokotuguni and Matt Banahan, can’t be added to the Red Rose mix in time for the World Cup.
“I feel a bit sorry for Kyle that he’s not had the opportunity yet to play with George at international level,” he told TRP. “I think they’d be excellent together for England because they go to the line together in attacking plays every day in training at Bath and understand one another’s game.
“Then there’s Roko. He’s had a couple of injuries since the autumn but he’s back now and flying in training. If we continue to play well as a team and he has a little bit of luck with injuries, I’m sure he’ll come back into the equation and probably make the wider World Cup squad.”
Bath record holder Matt Banahan won the last of his 16 caps as a replacement in the 20011 World Cup quarter-final.
“Stuart (Lancaster) has spoken to me about Matt so he’s on the radar,” Ford added. “His situation is exactly the same as Roko’s. If we’re playing in the big games at the end of the season he’ll be in contention.”
Ford is pleased that the Bath contingent have been able to show their true colours on the international stage.
“I’m really glad they’ve carried on playing the way they have done for Bath. Anyway, you’d be stupid asking them to play any differently because that’s what they do week in week out,” he said.
JON NEWCOMBE
