GEORGE Ford will feel a bit like the street magician ‘Dynamo’ when he looks at his Leicester back line options before selecting which trick to bring out of the magic box.
It could be sending Manu Tuilagi crashing over the gain line, or picking from an assortment of other receivers. These include using Matt Toomua as a second play-maker, or putting Jonny May or Telusa Veainu through gaps into open space.
With the array of international back line talent the Tigers have assembled this season, the challenge for Ford is picking the right option and then executing it with precision.
His ability to meet those requirements is why, with the England fly-half back at the helm for Leicester, you have to take them seriously.
At his best, Ford is the finest attacking fly-half in the Northern Hemisphere. He is a student of the game who can put theory into practical motion. At Bath he had a lot of options with the power of Matt Banahan and Semesa Rokoduguni, and the rapier running of Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph – but this star-studded Tigers back line offers him even more choice.
He knows scrum-half Ben Youngs very well already as part of an established England partnership, and also from his earlier stint with Leicester. That understanding means that the half-back gears should mesh smoothly from the start.
However, for this Tigers back line to come together his linking with Toomua, who will probably be at 12 as a second distributor, will be crucial. The combination of English and Aussie minds in terms of how to run the game will be exciting, especially as Toomua has also played a fair amount at fly-half.
This story is from the August 13, 2017 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 13, 2017 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
