FORD OF THE MANOR
MIKE PHILLIPS, the former Wales scrum-half, would sometimes walk hunched over. If anyone asked what was the matter, he would say he had a bad back from carrying the team for so long.
Many think George Ford has carried Leicester Tigers for the past 18 months, and England too at times, although Ford himself would rubbish that idea. A more loyal and committed team man you will not find, and it’s why there is an unmistakable vehemence to Ford’s reply when you ask him the question that everyone wants to know: what did you think of Eddie Jones saying he shouldn’t have started you in the World Cup final?
“It doesn’t bother me at all. I spoke to Eddie. Let me tell you, Eddie’s a lot more experienced than I am at his job. He’s unbelievable at what he does. It’s only the exterior, people outside the squad, who make a massive deal about selection. ‘Oh, he’s been dropped, he’s in or he’s out’. The media make a huuuuge deal out of it, but for us as a squad of 31 we didn’t bat an eyelid at it. Didn’t
