England and Sale Sharks come to the same conclusion over George Ford

Sale Sharks boss Alex Sanderson admits that the much-anticipated showdown between two of England’s premier fly-halves, George Ford and Northampton Saints’ Fin Smith, will have to wait until another weekend.

Sanderson says that Ford is really close to returning to action from an abductor strain he suffered in the defeat to Exeter Chiefs three weeks ago, but the trip to the East Midlands is set to come too soon for him.

He says he is looking at the bigger picture and trying to protect Ford from himself, which suggests Rob du Preez will continue in the playmaker role and Ford’s comeback could happen against Harlequins on Boxing Day.

The decision to delay his return to the pitch isn’t Sale’s alone, as the holder of an EPS Enhanced Player contract, the RFU have a say on the matter, too.

“He is really close. He was running today (Wednesday) and running well again. I said it would be a week or two, but I don’t think it’s going to be a George Ford – Fin Smith showdown this weekend, unfortunately.

“It was on the wire whether we could select him or not. But I don’t see that happening at this point. If we asked him, he would say he is good to go and is playing, and we have got to take that decision out of the players’ hands.

“There is a bigger picture, and for his long-term fitness. We discussed his dream to lead a side into a World Cup Final and win a World Cup, so I’m bearing that in mind when he is in the thick of it, saying he is good to go.

“He is also an enhanced EPS, so England have their say in this as well, and they want to make sure he is in the right spot. It works well, and we signed up for that. So I’m good with it,” said Sanderson.