Ford no cert, warns Cueto

AFTER fly-half George Ford’s sensational performances for England in recent months, most Lancashire fans would consider him a shoe-in at fly-half for the upcoming World Cup.

But former England international Mark Cueto admits he would swap the flamboyance of Oldham’s Ford for the reliability of Owen Farrell as the side gears up for a tilt at glory.

Ford was a revelation last season, guiding Bath to the Premiership final and impressing with 75 points for England, who came within a whisker of recording their first Six Nations victory in four years.

But the 22 year old and his Bath side came up short in May’s Twickenham final, with Farrell – returning from the injury that kept him out of the England side – inspiring Saracens to an emphatic 28-16 triumph.

Cueto, who made 55 appearances for England, believes the more experienced Farrell would be the smarter choice for England’s opening clash against Fiji next month.

He said: “Ford did a fantastic job in the Six Nations. Prior to that we were in a position where Owen was dominating the shirt and we just weren’t aware of who else could fill that position if needed.

“It’s great that we now have two No.10s that we can rely on. In terms of who I would pick, for a Rugby World Cup I’d probably go with Owen. I just think the way he puts his body on the line, his goal-kicking, and the fact that he seems to up his game when he puts on an England shirt makes him the best we’ve got.”