European cup aspirations drive Ford to Northampton

The goal-kicking 19-year-old – son of England defence coach and former Castleford Tigers scrum-half Mike Ford – came through the Leeds academy and delivered a man-of-the-match debut performance against Leicester in the LV Cup earlier this campaign. He has also made an impact during his first taste of Guinness Premiership rugby and played 12 matches this season.

But the lure of potential Heineken Cup football with Saints and the chance to work with ex-England fly-half Paul Grayson sees him become the latest homegrown product to depart Headingley Carnegie.

"Leeds have been great with me," said Ford. "Diccon Edwards (Academy manager) helped me with my development and Andy Key and Neil Back gave me my chance and put a lot of faith in me.

"The Premiership has been a massive step up. It is also something I'm enjoying and I want to play more of it in the next few years. The possibility of playing in the Heineken Cup is also massive.

"I'm looking forward to joining one of the biggest clubs in the country and working with the coaches.

"If (Paul Grayson) can do half of what he's done with Stephen Myler and Shane Geraghty it will be great."

Former England-Under 18 star Ford will have to battle with current England international Geraghty and the highly-rated Myler for the No 10 shirt at Franklin's Gardens.

"I'm not underestimating how hard it will be to get in the team," he said.

"I'm going to get my head down and hopefully get my chance in the big games."

Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says Ford is one of the outstanding young players in the Premiership.

"Although he is still in his teens he has demonstrated a good rugby brain in the games that he has played," he said.

"He has also performed under pressure against some top teams and that points to a bright future in the game. Joe will be joining Stephen Myler and Shane Geraghty in competing for a first-team shirt next season."

wasps backs Danny Cipriani and Paul Sackey have been included in the Barbarians squad for this summer's tour, which begins with the MasterCard Trophy match against England at Twickenham on May 30.

Following the England game the Barbarians, who will be coached by Philippe Saint-Andre, will face Ireland at Thomond Park, Limerick, on June 4.