Ford warning for England

Mike Ford warned England RU will have to be “a step ahead” of Ireland if they are to win in Dublin for the first time since 2003.

Oldhamer Ford was responsible for the successful plan which saw Joe Worsley deployed specifically to keep Wales’ powerful centre Jamie Roberts in check.

England slipped to a 23–15 defeat but Worsley was named man of the match and Roberts was not allowed to wreak the kind of havoc which destroyed Scotland on the opening weekend.

But Ford has been using every last day of England’s week off to redesign their defensive plans because Ireland, with a midfield of Ronan O’Gara, Paddy Wallace and Brian O’Driscoll, pose a far more canny threat.

“We need to be one step ahead of them this weekend,” said Ford.

“O’Gara is very clever and they will have players in their locker to take advantage if they see Joe working as an extra forward in the back line.

“The Irish centres are very talented, very creative but not the bone–crushing runner Roberts was. We have got to try to second guess them and stay ahead of them.”