Former World Cup winner says Ford can make England title contenders

GEORGE Ford carries attacking threat.

Rugby Union: Neil Back says Oldham-born Bath man George Ford has transformed his country from World Cup also-rans into title contenders.

England finished second in the Six Nations, missing out to Ireland on points difference following a dramatic final day.

But with Ford steering the ship from fly-half, England played with an attacking verve absent in previous years — and racked up a championship-high 18 tries in five games.

The 22 year old was expected to face a battle for a starting berth from Owen Farrell, but the Saracens kicker was ruled out with a knee injury in the build-up to the competition.

“I think what England needed to change to go from being a good side to a potentially World Cup-winning side was their attacking philosophy,” said Back, who chairs the panel deciding on the Forward of the Season competition.

“We will never know if that could have happened with Owen Farrell because he was injured, but George Ford has really brought that side to England’s game. The team looks far more dangerous with George Ford at 10, as they’re not just plugging away at getting points, but are attacking. That’s what you need to beat the best teams in the world.”

Ford could well retain the No.10 shirt for England’s World Cup opener against Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.