Leicester Tigers issue firm defence of George and Mike Fordfollowing Sam Burgess rant
Rugby NewsSaturday, 06 June 2020 at 15:19
Leicester Tigers boss Geordan Murphy has defended George and Mike Ford after Sam Burgess' controversial comments about the father and son.
Cross-code flop Burgess caused a stir after an explosive interview he gave on the House of Rugby podcast earlier this week.
"It is really strange and it has come at a strange time to be dragging things up from five years ago," the 42-year-old told Leicester Tigers TV.
"I have known Mike Ford for a very long time, I’ve known George Ford for a very long time. Mike coached me when I was an Ireland player. He has been through the world of rugby. He is incredibly experienced. He has been great for me in my role, in his support of me.
“And George as well has been incredible for Leicester throughout his entire career. He has got a hell of an amount of caps, he is renowned as being an unbelievable team man. So to have bits and pieces dragged up is slightly confusing.
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"I’m certainly very confident that both of those guys are very, very well received at Leicester and they are doing a great job. So it’s not really for me to comment on that any more than for me to say that I’m very happy with the two Fords.
“People always have opinions and that’s life. For whatever reason people say different things and we are just very happy to have both of the guys, we are very confident that they add to our environment.
"As I said, Mike has been great for me personally and a great support over the last couple of seasons and longer. I have known both guys a long time and they are both good human beings.”
LIST | 5 players from abroad who could be capped by England in the future
These five have shown enough ability or promise to suggest they may be future England stars in waiting.
Foreign-born stars, such as Nathan Hughes and the Vunipola brothers, have already shown how integral they can be for the Red Rose after making the step up to International rugby.
Here are five players who could pull on the white jersey in the future:
1. Ruan Ackermann – Gloucester (South Africa)
His Dad Johan Ackermann, who departed as Gloucester boss for Japan earlier this month, confirmed that his son will be staying with the Cherry & Whites to persue international honours, and has already been in contact with Eddie Jones. The imposing number eight qualify for England on residency grounds in August 2020 -- just four months before World Rugby's new eligibility laws kick in.
2. Jason Woodward - Gloucester (New Zealand)
The New Zealand‑born full-back who joined Gloucester from Bristol in the summer has already been included in an England training squad. With Eddie Jones revealing he is looking for competition for George Furbank at full-back, Woodward could find himself winning his first full cap at some point in the future.
3. Ratu Naulago - Bristol Bears (Fiji)
The speedster took Super League by storm with Hull RFC, scoring 17 tries in 26 games, before signing with Bristol Bears for the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season. It will be a switch back to union for Naulago, who previously won the Premiership 7s title with Saracens. If he can hit the ground running, he'd be right in the frame for a call-up from Eddie Jones.
4. Cameron Redpath - Bath Rugby (France)
The son of 60-cap Scotland legend Bryan Redpath, centre Cameron was born in Narbonne, France. He was selected in England's 34-man squad for their 2018 tour of South Africa but was unable to travel with the squad because of injury. The 20-year-old, who recently departed Sale Sharks for Bath Rugby, has also represented England U20, scoring three tries in nine appearances.
5. Gerbrandt Grobler - Gloucester (South Africa)
Whether England would consider him as and when he becomes eligible remains to be seen but Grobler maintains an ambition to play at the highest level. “Obviously you wouldn’t turn it down [if Eddie Jones called]. I don’t think anyone would. You’ve got to have belief in yourself, otherwise why are you playing this game? You’ve got to have ambitions and goals but I’ll keep them to myself. There is always hope.”
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