Ford is ready to step up and take charge
The prodigious fly-half came off the bench to replace Owen Farrell for a 15-minute cameo in Saturday’s frustrating 31-28 loss against South Africa at Twickenham.
It was the 21-year-old’s third taste of action for his country but all those games so far have been as a replacement.
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Hide AdWith British Lion Farrell struggling with form and fitness – there was some sarcastic applause from the crowd when he and scrum-half Danny Care were finally relieved of duty – there is a clear opportunity for the Bath tyro to demonstrate he has not just the obvious ability but temperament to take control.
“I think I am ready,” said Ford, who had a loan spell with Leeds Carnegie in 2011-12 after being named International Junior Player of the Year.
“Obviously I really want a chance. We just need to come together as a team, be cohesive and get that understanding together, as in international rugby, more than anything, you need to get each other’s game. You can’t go off on your own, on a tangent.
“We have to have better decision-making and play smarter.
“New Zealand and South Africa showed if you make mistakes they punish you.
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Hide Ad“Any game you start for England is a big chance and it is going to be a big week.
“Samoa are a very physical team, a bit like South Africa, so we will have to learn the lessons and come here ready for a big battle next Saturday.”