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3 months ago
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George Ford will miss England’s summer tour matches with Japan and New Zealand, leaving national head coach Steve Borthwick ‘disappointed’ to be without one of his most trusted lieutenants.
Mail Sport revealed on Sunday the experienced fly-half won’t be travelling to the southern hemisphere due to an Achilles injury in news that was quickly confirmed by the RFU.
Ford’s fitness woe presents a golden opportunity to both Marcus and Fin Smith – two of the English game’s brightest young talents – who will now be involved in a straight shootout to be Borthwick’s first-choice No 10 in the southern hemisphere. England’s final squad for those matches will be confirmed on Monday, but Ford’s name will be absent from the list.
‘Naturally we’re disappointed George won’t be with us in Japan and New Zealand, but following specialist medical advice, and in consultation with George himself, we have decided this is the best course of action,’ Borthwick said.
‘George is a big part of the England team and is an excellent professional who I know will rehab diligently to ensure he gets himself right as soon as he can.’
George Ford has been ruled out of England's summer tour matches against Japan and New Zealand through injury
Ford has been in camp with England but will miss the matches with an achilles injury
The news is a major blow to Steve Borthwick, who has relied heavily on the player in his run as England coach
Ford had been in camp with England after his club side Sale were beaten by Bath in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs, but he hasn’t been able to shake off his pre-existing Achilles issue.
His summer absence is a significant blow to Borthwick who is a big fan of the player given they worked together to win a Premiership title at Leicester in 2022.
After Owen Farrell stepped away from international rugby after last year’s World Cup, Ford’s experience in the playmaker position has become vital to Borthwick and he impressed during this year’s Six Nations. Ford started every Championship game as England’s attacking game progressed nicely as the tournament wore on.
But England will have to do without him for their June 22 meeting with Japan – now coached by Eddie Jones – in Tokyo and two crunch Tests with the All Blacks on July 6 and 13 respectively.
It is understood Ford’s Achilles problem is on the opposite leg to the one to which he suffered a serious rupture in the 2022 Premiership final.
While Borthwick is understandably disappointed to be without Ford this summer, he does have plenty of fly-half cover in the exciting pairing of the two Smiths – Marcus and Fin.
Fin Smith has had an outstanding season with Northampton and was part of the Saints side which on Saturday claimed the Premiership title with a thrilling 25-21 win over Bath at Twickenham.
Fin Smith made his England debut in the Six Nations, coming off the bench for replacement cameos against Italy and Scotland.
Marcus Smith (left) and Fin Smith (right) will now battle it out to play No 10 in the matches
Marcus Smith of Harlequins has more experience than his namesake and has also had a good campaign despite his club not making the end-of-season play-offs. His thrilling late drop goal also sealed what was a fine England win over eventual Six Nations champions Ireland.
Marcus Smith had been due to start England’s Six Nations campaign at No 10 before he suffered a calf injury in a pre-tournament training camp in Girona.
Both Smiths will be included in Borthwick’s England squad when it is named on Monday.
Another experienced player in Elliot Daly of Saracens will also miss England’s summer games following the birth of his first child.
It means Borthwick’s party will likely have a youthful feel.
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