George Ford feels English rugby is on the up after a testing couple of years on and off the field and has to use this season a springboard.
England reached the semi-final of the World Cup and defeated champions Ireland in the Six Nations, Northampton and Harlequins reached the last four of the Champions Cup and the Premiership campaign has been painted in vibrant colours.
“There is plenty to be positive about,” said Ford, the Sale and England outside-half. “The two semi-finalists performed creditably, staying in the games, firing shots and believing in themselves. They fought to the end but did not quite get the result.
“The Premiership has gone up another level, which is great for all involved, and England’s last two performances in the Six Nations showed we are heading in the right direction. It is natural to go through ebbs and flows – if anyone had the potion to sustain success, they would do very well.”
Ford won the first of his 96 England caps 10 years ago, but this year’s Six Nations was different for him because his friend from schooldays, Owen Farrell, was not involved having taken a sabbatical from Test rugby which will be extended after his decision to move to Paris next season.
“It was always going to be different without Owen,” said Ford, who started all five matches. “He has been a big part of the England team and the leader for so many years. The key for us was not to make it the same as it was when he was there.
“No one can replicate what Owen does day in day out, the way he drives and influences the team. We had to lead in different ways and the leadership group had to step up.
“It was a thoroughly enjoyable campaign. We got stronger the longer the tournament went on, finding a way to win the first two matches before suffering a disappointing result in Scotland. Everyone wants things to work immediately and questions were asked, but building a team, a way of playing and consistency takes time.
“I was proud of our Six Nations campaign: we played some good rugby, especially in the last two games with a team that had changed a lot from the World Cup.
“People see the 80 minutes at the weekend but no one knows what you put into all the other minutes in the week to do what it takes to be the best you can. Where we finished compared to where we started was something for everyone to be proud of.”
Ford hopes to be part of the summer internationals against Japan and New Zealand, but his focus is on the end of the club season with Sale who rallied after a mid-season slump.
“The league has been tight with so many clubs pushing for the top four,” he said. “Every game seems to be a crunch one and they are hard to predict which is great for the competition.
“It has been a challenging year with the World Cup and a lot of rugby played, but I have enjoyed it. I have been going for a fair amount of time but feel good. Whenever our club season ends is the time to reflect and, I hope, move attention to the summer.
“There is loads to be excited about out with the way the England lads are performing for their clubs every week. There is a lot more to come from England: we are at the start of our journey and are moving in the right direction.”
Sale are losing their England centre Manu Tuilagi at the end of the sea-son. He is off to the Top 14 with Bayonne and Ford, who also played alongside him at Leicester, will be left with fond memories of the Samoan.
“”I will miss him massively,” said Ford. “Off the field, he is an unbelievable lad, someone who is always smiling and giving energy, the first to say good morning.
“No one can replicate him as a player. He is someone who can change a game in an instant with or without the ball, but he is so unassuming, quiet in the way he goes about things and always putting the team first.
“His family is excited for the next challenge which he more than deserves for what he has given to English rugby over the years.”
Centre Sam James will also be leaving Sale this summer after a decade at the club.
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