Don’t write off Steve’s boys yet says Mike
MIKE FORD has a warning for anyone writing off England as World Cup no-hopers in France: Don’t.
The Red Rose have flopped badly during the past three Six Nations and coach Steve Borthwick has struggled to stop the rot since succeeding Eddie Jones.
Yet Ford insists it would be foolish to dismiss England, pointing to the 2007 tournament when, as defence coach, he helped Brian Ashton’s side to reach the final and come within a whisker of glory.
Ford (right) said: “It was tough going into that World Cup and in the second game, against South Africa, we lost 36-0.
“The next game we played Samoa and we’re getting sacked if we lose.
“That probably would have been right as well, but we won and ended up beating Australia in the quarter-final.
“Then we played France in the semifinal in the Stade de France, beat them and now we’re back playing South Africa in the final.
“It was a hell of a lot closer game this time – Mark Cueto scored a try that wasn’t given – but overall the tournament was a great experience and England are not entirely dissimilar now going into this coming World Cup.
“No-one is giving them a chance. But if you look at the squad Steve Borthwick’s picked, there are 16 or 17 players who played in the World Cup final four years ago.
“And that’s massive experience. It will always come down to one game and one or two moments within that game.
“If you can be on the right side of them, all of a sudden you can be in a quarter or semi-final. Then it’s on.”
Ford, who was also part of Martin Johnson’s coaching team at the 2011 World Cup, said son George is ready to prove his class again on the highest stage.
He added: “George is unbelievably well respected by his coaches and peers.
“There are always question marks there, but at the end of the day he’s achieved what he’s achieved so far.
“And it’s not over yet in terms of what he can achieve.
“For me, and I know that I’m biased, but he’s one of the best players in the
world.”