England RWC No.10 battle grows clearer as George Ford decides his future

George Ford has signed a new three-year deal with Sale Sharks, taking him beyond England’s 2027 World Cup campaign.

The England centurion, 32, has long been linked with potential moves to the Top 14, and would also have had his head turned by R360 in recent weeks, but has pledged his long-term allegiance to the club he joined in 2022.

The deal is also a clear statement to England head coach Steve Borthwick that he has no intention of bowing out of Test rugby any time soon, and he showed in the summer as he captained England to a 2-0 series win over Argentina that he still has a lot to give in the white jersey.

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Indeed, Sale director of rugby Alex Sanderson said the fly-half is in the “form of his life” currently, which will give Borthwick and his attack coach Lee Blackett plenty to think about ahead of England’s first Test of the Autumn Nations Series against Australia, with Fin Smith, Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell also in contention.

Ford’s new deal comes just days after Fin Smith agreed a “multi-year” contract extension with Northampton Saints, while Marcus Smith extended his Harlequins stay to 2028 at the end of last year. Though he is yet to be named in any preliminary squads by Borthwick, Farrell has signed a two-year deal with Saracens, taking him until the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

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With all four players locked into the Gallagher PREM, the England management finally know what the fly-half landscape looks like as rugby’s showcase comes into focus.

For now, Sale will look to build upon their 57-5 demolition of Newcastle Red Bulls when they travel to London to take on Saracens on Saturday, where Ford will go head-to-head with Farrell, though the Saracens star has been deployed as a centre this season.

“It’s brilliant to have the contract agreed,” the 102-cap England international said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here and I’ve loved representing the north. The importance of that isn’t lost on me. I drive from Saddleworth to Carrington every day and I can see the city in the distance, and it makes me incredibly proud.

“I’m proud to represent the region and the people up here and I want to inspire the next generation. You see so many kids up here who are passionate about playing rugby and I want us to be a team who inspire those kids to want to do what we’re lucky enough to do.

“With the players and the coaches that we have here, I feel like I can still improve and be challenged as a player. I feel the best place for me to do that is right here.

“As a team, we want to take the next step and I’m more determined than ever to help us do that. The ambition from the club is obvious and I know we’re going to achieve great things in the future, but we’re at our best when we focus on the next game.

“I want to keep playing well for Sale Sharks and I want to keep influencing the team as much as I can. That comes first. I love playing for my country but I know that I only get that opportunity if I’m playing consistently well for Sale. So that’s my focus.

“You don’t make a decision like this just on rugby, there’s loads more to consider. My wife is running four restaurants as well as being a full-time mum and to be around to help and support her in any way I can is so important to me. That’s played a big part in us being so settled and happy here.”

Sanderson added: “George is in the form of his life and he’s a player we’ve built a team around. He’s the sort of player who attracts top-quality players to want to play for the club because they all want to learn from him.

“He’s one of the first people I speak to post-game and confide in ahead of the challenge of responding to a win or a loss, because of the way he sees the game. As much as he inspires the players, he inspires the coaches too.

“This shows the vision and the ambition of a club that’s wanting to lay down a real foundation for the future. It shows what we’re all about.

“George could have his pick of any club in the world and he chooses Sale Sharks and that’s big testament to us and what we’re building.”