England consider taking 19-year-old Leicester fly-half George Ford on their tour to South Africa in June

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England are seriously considering taking 19-year-old Leicester fly-half George Ford on their tour to South Africa in June.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9222180/England-consider-taking-19-year-old-Leicester-fly-half-George-Ford-on-their-tour-to-South-Africa-in-June.html

maestegmafia wrote:Rather a resounding result for Toby flood to be first choice. Lancaster currently ranks him behind Hodgeson, Farrell and possibly Ford.

Eh?

Hodgson played in the 6 Nations when Flood was injured/getting back to fitness. Then Hodgson got injured and Farrell switched to 10. He played well and it was working effectively for England with Flood still getting back up to speed at Tigers. Lancaster sensibly chose to stick with Farrell for the rest of the 6Ns as changing the structure could have been costly at that stage. How is Ford ahead of Flood as things stand?

Flood is now playing very well. He's first choice.

Flood came on against Wales after proving his fitness with Tigers and brought more attacking intent in his 15 minute cameo then Farrell did in the rest of the game (and the proceeding games as well). That 15 mins was all Flood was given as he was then dumped back to his club and Hodgson promoted back to the bench. Lancaster or maybe Farrell Snr, certainly somebody was not a Flood fan.

Sam ,

I think there was an element in the way Flood ( and to some extent Youngs) were treated in lancaster trying to prove a point about established players not having their positions safe and having to earn the shirt. Farrell had done better than he couldve hoped for, and Hodgson when fit had done all that was asked of him. Flood was struggling for fitness and form at that time.
Now hes proved his class gaian, at least in a club shirt, he should be well up the order.

The other issue, as you say, was the system, England were playing which seemed horrified at the idea half back may wish to take the ball forward and that the fly half might not want to concede 5 meters every time he got the ball. Flood wasnt the right player for the way England wanted to play, and fair enough that system worked pretty well against the 6 nations sides.
Agsnt the Sanzars though? You feel it would be back to the damage limitation days. Its hard to imagine beating Australia with noting more than a charge down try, and pretty hard to image England managing to brick wall South Africa and win a kicking battle against Steyn. A bit of flair is needed to make the next step, Flood has more of that than the others, without being a flake like Cipriani.

The way England played on the 6N evolved though, the later games saw considerably more attacking then in the earlier ones. The likes of Foden and Morgan were encouraged to run the ball back rather than pass to the nearest kicker. Farrell was even moving the ball (albeit from deep and slowly), Flood would have offered so much with that backline and Cockerill had already made it clear that Flood would not start for Tigers during the LV Cup games. Depsite good games against Glaws and Sarries Flood was not allowed to walk straight back in, despite Hodgson doing exactly the same thing as soon as he was fit.

I agree Flood should be first choice this summer, but to be fair Hodgson had been injured for one game with a sore hand. Flood was coming back from a significant spell out.

formerly known as Sam wrote:The way England played on the 6N evolved though, the later games saw considerably more attacking then in the earlier ones. The likes of Foden and Morgan were encouraged to run the ball back rather than pass to the nearest kicker. Farrell was even moving the ball (albeit from deep and slowly), Flood would have offered so much with that backline and Cockerill had already made it clear that Flood would not start for Tigers during the LV Cup games. Depsite good games against Glaws and Sarries Flood was not allowed to walk straight back in, despite Hodgson doing exactly the same thing as soon as he was fit.

But the half backs were still playing conservatively, not running the ball (except in broken play) and with the fly half standing deep. they were still pretty kick heavy too despite the good possession and space they got against Ireland. The scores largely came from the boot and the scrum, which also was the source of may of those penalties. According to the ESPN stats half the meters gained came from just croft and Morgan. It wasnt a vintage display of attacking back play by any stretch, perhaps unlike 2008 where Cipriani and Noon (bloody Noon!) really did run riot.

Latest reports strongly suggest that Wayne Smith will be the man to come in. I cant see him being conservative and favouring a deep standing kicking 10.

Correct be if I'm wrong but did Hodgson make it off the bench? He was giving Farrell a crack and so Flood would have just been sat on the bench any way.

Anyone not saying Flood is a joker; I actually think he will end up being 1st choice 10 for the Lions, but that's just me.

Farrell did OK in the last few matches but mainly because his place kicking was top notch. How many games has he started at 10 for Sarries this season? He will obviously still travel though and is solid in defence.

Haven't seen an awful lot of Ford, but have heard good things. However, it is a bit of a step up for him and I think Burns warrants a place in the squad if we're looking at back-up for this year at least.

Flood's an odd 10, he is very good at all the aspects of being a fly half with no real weaknesses, always puts in a good display and has been the fulcrum for some of England and Leicesters best displays in the last few years.

But the moment any newer younger flashier models come along, or an old fly half with a rep and suspect experience comes back many supporters and coaches can't seem to wait to get rid of him.

To me he is our best 10 by a fair margin but i wouldn't be surprised to see Farrell start.

The only thing I'd really do to improve Flood (other than add 10% to his kicking stats, but you could say that about most 10s) is make him use the inside pop more sparingly. It's really effective the first couple of times but by the end of a game it's pretty predictable

Other than that he is a good, solid all round 10. No Carter, but the best we have

Don't get the luke warm response to Flood. If SL doesn't have him as England's 1st choice FH for at least the next year or more then he's going to look a bit of a fool when Flood's the 1st choice Lions FH next year.

Cipriani has just terminated his contract with the Rebels early to make himself available for the tour, whether thats with a nod from Lancaster or not is another question but it appears the donut believes he is in with a chance of selection

Maybe he thought his post-try dancing sealed the deal?

Cipriani has just terminated his contract with the Rebels early to make himself available for the tour, whether thats with a nod from Lancaster or not is another question but it appears the donut believes he is in with a chance of selection

More likely so he can get the required rest time in before a full pre season with Sale. That would be the best way to go about putting himself in the England shop window. Start the season in top fitness firing on all cylinars for the new club, make an impact in the first half of the season (including HEC) and then hope to get lucky with 6N selection.

George Ford hasn't been selected for the U-20's, so he's either being bulked up in a full pre-season, or he's off to SA with the seniors.

From what I've heard Cockers wanted him available for the Tigers pre season as they want to push him up in size so that he is at a more international weight. At 12 and a half stone he is about a stone lighter than the likes of JOC and Lambie and so that is probably going to be his summer training programme. Bulking up the right way so that he is getting stronger and more powerful but without losing his acceleration. With Staunton on his way out the door Ford will be the second choice 10 for Tigers and want to be pushing Flood for his place.

I'd take Burns on tour and have Ford start the season for Tigers while Flood rests. Far better for him to have the preseason and the pressure of guiding his club and then move on to Eng squad places.

Sam, has Bowden been confirmed? He would make a more 'sensible' bench play due to covering 12 so will we see Ford as much? Will it just be when Flood isn't playing/benched?