Leicester Tigers boss responds to George Ford departure rumours

The Rugby Paper has reported that Bristol Bears had made contact with the England fly-half, who will be out of contract at the end of the season.

"We would obviously like to keep George. I think everyone would be aware of that," Murphy said to

Leicestershire Live

.

"We have had conversations with him whilst he has been away but out of respect for him and where he is at with England we have not followed that up.

"He is at the World Cup which is the pinnacle of any player's career and we didn't want to be overly distracting to him.

"I'm sure there are another 11 teams in the Premiership who will be interested in George Ford and there will be teams across the world who will be interested in George Ford because he is a wonderful player.

"We will have those discussions when he has finished and we will try and nail that down. We would love to keep him. If we can't or if we don't, then we will have plan B."