George Ford not to travel to SA or the U20 Championship

It's being reported that Lancaster has decided not to take George Ford to South Africa, he came to the decision after lengthy talks with Leicester's Richard Cockerill. It was decided it was in Ford's personal interests to get a full pre-season in to prepare his body for playing at a higher level, as he could miss futher pre-seasons due to touring call ups.

What are people's thoughts? right decision?

Good decision, let the lad bulk up a bit and have a good pre-season. No point sticking him on for 20 mins in a midweek game down south. High hopes for the future of this chap!

Cockers & the Tigers must know best & you have to respect that decision.

His time will come - soon I hope!

Having played in the last two U20 RWCs as Englands 10 and winning the best player award in the last tournament he has nothing to prove at that level (despite being able to play next year as well!!).

It is right for him and the development of young stand-offs that he does not go to that tournament.


As to going to SA - that would have been a dumb idea and I am glad it has been rejected.

I'm a big supporter of GF and although it would have been appealing to see what he could do at full international level, you have to say this is the right call from a longer term perspective.

Even if he had have travelled, he would have probably only made a short sub appearance behind FB as Carpe pointed out.

It's been handled well, I think. Ford knows that Cockerill and Lancaster have been considering him and knows that he's not going for good reasons, and that the England boss has got his eye on him. At his age, he ought to react well to this.

It's the sort of decision that will pay dividends (if at all) a couple of years down the line and I'm glad to see it.

It's a bit of a shame from the U20's point of view because he would strengthen the team a lot if he was there. On the other hand, if the summer break ultimately helps him progress as a player, then fair enough.

Could be his last full pre-season for much of his career. Hope they use that time wisely, and fully prepare him for next season, and an assault on the Leicester and England 10 shirt.