"Next chapter" - George Ford reveals his post-rugby plans with one eye on retirement

Although he is currently 30 years old and still has several years of active play ahead of him, he has already gained a reputation as one of rugby's most perceptive technicians, particularly in the role of the No. 10.

During the past week, Ford openly expressed his desire to transition into coaching after his playing days are over.

However, even before retirement, his exceptional tactical knowledge is already proving beneficial to England. He is actively involved in fast-tracking their World Cup preparations, using his astute understanding of the game to contribute to their plans.

"I’m obsessed with watching rugby, which my wife is not too happy about," said the No 10, who was speaking to the Mail Online.

"I like trying to stay a step ahead, or predict what’s coming, or where we can go next to keep moving on. 

"Around the world, you see a successful team do one thing and everybody starts to follow it. But what intrigues me is, what’s next? How do we stay a step ahead of that? And it is a bit of a coach’s mindset.

"The best players in our positions are the best coaches on the field so I think it’s a necessity to be like that, especially at this level."

Having abandoned their pursuit of Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith, Racing has turned their focus to Ford. However, sealing this deal may pose a challenge for them.

Ford is firmly settled in the North West and would be reluctant to move as long as he remains a part of Steve Borthwick's England plans. Despite this, a move to Racing 92 could potentially see his season earnings double from £400,000 to approximately £800,000.

In preparation for the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership, Ford signed a long-term contract with Sale Sharks shortly after contributing to Leicester Tigers' Premiership triumph. The Oldham-born talent commenced his professional career with the Tigers, becoming the youngest rugby union player to make his debut in England in 2009, at just 16 years and 237 days old.

After clinching a Premiership title with Tigers in 2013, Ford transferred to Bath, where he claimed the prestigious Gilbert Golden Boot as the top-points scorer and secured the LV= Young Player of the Year award. He then returned to Leicester for the 2018-19 season.

During his tenure at Tigers, Ford amassed over 80 appearances before transitioning to Sale Sharks, where he concluded his final season as the league's leading points scorer. With 38 conversions, an equal number of penalties, and a successful drop goal, his total points tally reached 193, earning him another Gilbert Golden Boot accolade.

Making his England debut in 2014, George Ford has since earned more than 80 caps for his country. He played a pivotal role in England's journey to the 2019 World Cup final under the guidance of Eddie Jones.

Upon announcing Ford's signing, Sharks Director of Rugby, Alex Sanderson, hailed him as one of the world's premier fly-halves. Sanderson also expressed his delight in bringing Ford back to his roots, stating that his return to the North West signifies a significant boost for the club and aligns with their aspirations and vision for the future.

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England's World Cup squad will be captained by Owen Farrell and vice captains will be Ellis Genge and Courteney Lawes. That makes the trio nailed on for the squad.

A number of major stars, however, are currently set to be axed from the group when Borthwick names his 33-man group.

He has held countless meetings with them, explaining where they are in the pecking order and as the 41 members of his first major squad convene on Sunday, he is sure to do so again.

“I believe players want to know exactly where they stand,” Borthwick says.

“In week one and two, we had players come in and I sat with them straight away and said: ‘This is where you stand and this is what I think you need to do to move forward.’ That’s the first thing I do. Why? As a player, I always remember that I wanted to know what I needed to do.

" I didn’t want ambiguity. My job was to get on with rugby and train, not to be second-guessing anything.”

As a member of an established Tongan rugby dynasty, Mako Vunipola has made his own mark on the game in a Saracens, England and British & Irish Lions shirt.

Brother of England international Billy, he made Test debut against Fiji in November 2012. A year later he made his British & Irish Lions debut against the Barbarians in Hong Kong and featured in all three Tests for the series win over Australia, and did the same four years later in the drawn series with New Zealand.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, he qualifies for England on residency after their father Fe’ao, a hooker, emigrated to Wales to play for Pontypool in 1998. Mako signed for Saracens in 2011 from Bristol Rugby and also played on loan for Bedford Blues. He has gone onto win four Premiership titles at Saracens and three European Rugby Champions Cups.

He has also won the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam with England and was part of the squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. Steve Borthwick named Mako in his 36-player squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations Championship.

Hill made his Test debut for England in their delayed Six Nations fixture away to Italy in 2020.

The second row began his career at Luctonians and a chance trial at 17 saw him move to Hartpury College where he began playing in National League Two south. From here he was picked up by Gloucester and his form saw him receive an England Under 20 call-up.

In his time with Exeter Chiefs, Hill was included in the squads that reached five straight Premiership finals. He was called up by England for the first time ahead of the 2018 tour to South Africa, and again in October 2020.

Hill scored a try in England's 41-18 victory over Italy in the 2021 Six Nations. He joined Sale Sharks ahead of the 2022/23 season, and was included in Steve Borthwick's squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

Leading the England U18 team to the FIRA/AER European Championship title in Poland in 2014 revealed the immense potential of Sam Underhill.

In nine appearances that year, he captained the side in three of the final five matches, twice against Wales and once against Ireland and they won every game.

Sam’s first appearance in a senior England shirt was when he started the non-cap match against the Barbarians at Twickenham in May 2017 and his impressive Test debut followed against Argentina at Sante Fe in June. He was born in Dayton, Ohio, played twice for Gloucester before crossing the Severn Bridge to play for Ospreys while studying at Cardiff University.

He switched to Bath on a three-year deal in 2017. Sam featured on the bench for the first three games of the 2018 Six Nations, and took part in the November internationals. He has become a regular under head coach Eddie Jones and was part of the squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final.

onny well and truly announced himself on the international stage with an extraordinary maiden Test try against New Zealand in November 2014.

His long-range run in the opening minutes illustrated his pace, panache, shimmy, check and go. Injury prevented him from playing in the subsequent Six Nations and touring Australia in June 2016 But he returned after 13 months' absence with a try against South Africa at Twickenham that November.

He crossed four times during the 2018 Six Nations, including twice in victory over Wales, and was selected by Eddie Jones for the summer tour to South Africa. Jonny was the standout performer against the Springboks in the three-Test series, finishing the top scorer with three tries, including the match-winning score in Cape Town.

That form continued as he was top try scorer in the 2019 Six Nations as he crossed six times, and on the way to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final he crossed twice against Australia in the quarter-final on his 50th cap.

xcelling in high-profile matches, alongside two fine seasons for Wasps, launched Elliot Daly into the England squad for the 2016 RBS 6 Nations.

He celebrated his first senior start for his country with a monster left-footed penalty against South Africa in November 2016 and the following week had his maiden Test try against Fiji.

Elliot announced his return to the side in February 2017 with a huge penalty against France and that was followed up with a brilliantly-taken try with four minutes left to beat Wales in Cardiff. Elliot went on to win selection for the 2017 British & Irish Lions in New Zealand, and started all three Tests on the left wing against the All Blacks.

He was part of the England squad that reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, and featured in the 2021 Lions tour to South Africa, playing in the first two Tests. Steve Borthwick named him in his squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.