Ford in running for top award

STAR in the making . . . England fly-half George Ford.

RUGBY: ENGLAND under-20s and Leicester Tigers fly-half George Ford is one of three players

nominated by the International Rugby Board for the prestigious Junior Player of the Year 2011 Award.

The nominees were selected following the recent IRB Junior World Championship held in Italy, the most competitive edition of the under-20s tournament to date.

Ford, son of former OIdham RL player-coach Mike, would be the first Englishman to win the award, although London Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson and Sale Sharks forward Carl Fearns were both nominated in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

New Zealand duo Sam Cane and Luke Whitelock are also up for the gong, and will be hoping to make it a Baby Blacks triumph for the fifth consecutive year.

The shortlist is selected by a voting of team head coaches and match officials, as well as international and local media at the tournament.

The winner will be announced at the IRB Awards in Auckland on October 24.

Widely tipped as a star in the making, Ford (17) has enjoyed an excellent year.

As well as playing a key role for England in the Under-20s World Championship, he was a leading light in his country’s successful RSB 6 Nations campaign.

Ford kicked four conversions and two penalties in the 46-15 defeat of Ireland which clinched the Grand Slam.

In 2010, he was among the 10 nominees for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award, but failed to make the final three.


OLDHAM RU are back in training, with sessions taking place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7pm at Manor Park.
Any new players are asked to make themselves known to coach Guy Lovegreen on their arrival.

Oldham are running senior sides, including vets, as well as a youth section.