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George Ford responds to England omission by guiding Leicester to Kingsholm win
George Ford delivered a winning response to his England training squad omission as Leicester beat Gallagher Premiership opponents Gloucester 33-26 at Kingsholm.
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The Tigers fly-half, who has won 77 caps and played in two World Cups, will miss a three-day England camp that starts on Sunday.
He was left out alongside the likes of fellow established internationals Billy Vunipola and Jamie George, with Ford’s failure to make the 45-man group mystifying many.
But after guiding Leicester home against Exeter last weekend, he saw Tigers make it two wins from two, kicking three penalties and two conversions as they triumphed in bonus-point fashion.
Lock Harry Wells and captain Ellis Genge claimed first-half tries for Leicester, then wing Harry Potter’s sparkling 54th-minute solo try proved key before hooker Nic Dolly went over.
Gloucester did not go quietly, though, in front of an 11,600 crowd, claiming tries of their own from prop Fraser Balmain, flanker Ruan Ackermann, centre Mark Atkinson, who marked his England squad selection in style, and substitute Jack Clement.
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Fly-half Lloyd Evans booted two conversions, and Adam Hastings one, yet it was a second successive defeat for Gloucester following their reversal at Northampton last weekend.
Atkinson was Gloucester’s solitary change of personnel behind the scrum, slotting back into midfield and Tom Seabrook switching to wing duty instead of Jonny May, while starters up-front included former Leicester lock Ed Slater.
Leicester boss Steve Borthwick handed a first Tigers start to second-row forward Eli Snyman, and scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet started instead of England’s Ben Youngs, who was on the bench.
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Ford was quickly into the action, kicking two penalties inside the opening six minutes that punished poor Gloucester discipline.
There was an impressive composure about Leicester, and they rocked Gloucester by scoring an opening try midway through a one-sided opening quarter.
The Tigers forwards made considerable headway inside Gloucester’s 22, and Wells claimed a close-range touchdown that Ford converted as Leicester rattled along at a point a minute.
Gloucester had to find a way into the game, and they delivered from their first notable attack after Leicester struggled to hold their main ball-carriers before Balmain claimed a try, converted by Evans.
Leicester then freed the powerful Nemani Nadolo deep inside his own half, and he beat three Gloucester players on a rampaging run that almost resulted in a try for full-back Freddie Steward.
It required some frantic defence to keep the Tigers out, and home full-back Kyle Moyle received a yellow card for illegally stopping Tigers’ possession.
Leicester did not require a second invitation to make their temporary numerical advantage count, as Genge crashed over in the corner, making it 18-7.
But Gloucester hit back before the break, scoring a second try after slick passing saw Ackermann go over unopposed and close an entertaining first half, although not before Ford sent a penalty kick wide at the third attempt after the ball twice fell off his kicking tee from 40 metres out.
Potter’s try put daylight between the teams, yet Gloucester kept plugging away and Atkinson sliced through Tigers’ defence for a try that Evans converted to set up an intriguing final quarter.
Ford’s third penalty calmed any Leicester nerves, then Dolly pounced for his third try in two games this term and the Tigers prevailed, despite seeing Ollie Chessum sin-binned late on and Gloucester claiming another converted try that secured two losing bonus points.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
4 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
4 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments