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George Ford remains “hungry” for more challenges ahead as he closes in on a century of England Test appearances.
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The Sale fly-half is in line to become only the seventh man to reach the century milestone when England tour Argentina and the United States next month.
With players who have been called up to the British and Irish Lions for their tour to Australia not considered for selection, both Fin Smith and Marcus Smith will not be involved for the two Tests against the Pumas or the match with the USA at Audi Field in Washington on July 19.
Ford – part of Steve Borthwick’s 36-man training squad for next weekend’s match against a France XV – played in the 2019 World Cup final and has won three Six Nations titles as well as the Premiership twice with Leicester.
The 32-year-old, though, remains determined to deliver more at the highest level.
“It (100 caps) is a milestone and one I would be very proud to achieve. To get anywhere near 100 caps for your country shows the level of consistency you need to do that,” Ford told reporters at England’s training base in Bagshot.
“Having said that, I am not looking to get to 100 and stop. It is not the end goal, 100 and I will walk away into the distance.
“I still believe that I can perform and play at this very top level and I am excited and hungry to do so.
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“When or if it happens, you make your family proud – that is the biggest thing for me.
“The commitment and choices and sacrifice they have made to allow me to have the career I have had; milestones are nice for people like my family.”
Ford feels being deployed in a “game manager’s position” at the heart of the side can help eke a few more years out of a playing career.
“I think fly-half, scrum-half, it is one of the few positions where you probably see people like Johnny Sexton, Dan Biggar, going into their late 30s,” Ford said.
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“You are in a game manager’s position and you are in the middle of the field. A lot of it is mental and experience, managing games and making decisions, influencing the team.
“As opposed to a winger, where physically you probably have to be at the top of your game.
“I think it’s got the potential to do that. I feel good physically, I am hungry, that is the important thing.
“I am still driven to play at this top level and perform at the top level. I am probably as motivated as I have ever been.”