George plays down fly-half debate

George Ford breaks between Sale Sharks’ Danny Cipriani and Cameron Neild

THE George Ford or Owen Farrell discussion is likely to dominate English rugby for many years to come.

But England’s current incumbent of the fly-half jersey downplayed the importance of their latest head-to-head battle in the Aviva Premiership final.

Farrell was the golden boy of English rugby when he broke into the side as a 20-year-old and Ford, 18 months his junior, had to remain patient. But with injury ruling Wigan lad Farrell out of the Six Nations, Oldham-born Ford grabbed the opportunity with both hands and appeared to secure his position as England’s leading No.10.

When Ford’s Bath and Farrell’s Saracens faced each other in English rugby’s season finale in May it was viewed by many as a direct battle between the country’s top 10s. Farrell scored 18 points and picked up the man-of-the-match award as Sarries won 28-16.

Ford was deemed to have lost the battle - an unjust conclusion, but the debate was reignited.

“It was never about me versus Owen in the final, it was never going to be,” said Ford yesterday.

“We play the same position, but it was two brilliant teams playing against each other and it was always going to go down to the squads’ efforts on the day.”

Ford understands the intrigue though. Not only are the two young men the leading fly-halves in England in most people’s eyes, they have been friends for almost a decade.

Both were born and raised in the North West, both played rugby league growing up and both moved south so their dads could join Saracens.

The England stars not only went to the same school, they were even neighbours for a few years.

Ford said: “You can see why people are interested in it because we played against each other in rugby league from a young age, we went to the same school, lived next door to each and we are good mates away from the rugby field. People don’t believe that we are good mates, but we genuinely are.

“The team comes first, though, and whoever starts for England will hopefully be the best person to play at that particular time.”