'I think he'll go on to be one of the best, if I’m being honest'

Sale Sharks attack coach Joe Ford has backed his younger brother George to be a leading coach when he eventually hangs up his boots, but doesn’t believe he will be the best coach in the family.

The Fords, headed by dad Mike, whose impressive coaching CV includes working for England and the Lions, are fast becoming a coaching dynasty.

Joe returned to the Sharks in the summer from Championship outfit Doncaster Knights, where he was head coach last season, and they now employ the youngest brother, Jacob, whom he tips to be the best coach in the family.

“I think he’ll (George) go on to be one of the best, if I’m being honest. I know it’s never a given, is it? The world’s best players in any sport don’t always go on to be the best coaches, do they?

“But I think George will. The way he sees the game, you know, his preparation, etc. And how he is with people. That’s probably the most impressive thing.

“Whether it’s a first-year academy player, a 100-cap international, or Tom Curry, he’ll treat them both the same. You don’t always see that in environments, you know.

“People will treat people differently dependent on where they rank in the environment, but George will treat people the same, no matter what.

“I think Jacob’s probably going to be the best because he went a lot earlier. Obviously, he didn’t play like me and George did.

“So he’s already 10 years ahead of me with coaching. He’s been in a lot more environments than me too. I think he’s the one to watch, if I’m being honest,” he said.

George starts again for England against Ireland this weekend after becoming the social media fall guy for their Calcutta Cup defeat in Edinburgh last weekend, facing calls to be replaced by either Fin Smith or Marcus Smith.

“I think it just comes with the job, doesn’t it? Whoever plays in the England number 10 shirt is probably, within rugby, the most talked about position.

“Maybe with the exception of the All Blacks 10, I don’t know, but everything’s judged. It’s so fickle, isn’t it? One week, he is the starting 10, no matter what.

“Next week, people are saying he shouldn’t be in the squad at all. But the good thing is it won’t affect George. It doesn’t bother him. He won’t be reading any of it.

“He’ll just go about his business as normal, and he’s starting again this week, and I’m sure he’ll continue to shut a lot of people up as he has done throughout his career,” he added.