Leicester boss Borthwick has given a George Ford injury update

It appears that Leicester and England fly-half George Ford is on course to be involved in the Tigers’ Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 trip to Clermont this Sunday. Ford suffered an ankle injury during Leicester’s Premiership victory at Exeter on March 27, going off in the first half.

Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick said on Ford: “He’s doing well. I said at the time that he was very positive and he continues to be really positive. This adventure we are on in Europe, it’s brilliant. We went away to Bordeaux, which was an incredible atmosphere, and then we went off to Connacht.

“Now, we go to Clermont, which we are all excited about in what is a fantastic competition. It is not every week you get to go and play in places like Clermont. We are learning a lot and we are eager to get going on Sunday.”

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Meanwhile, Leicester captain Ellis Genge is relishing the prospect of playing at one of French rugby’s most imposing venues when the Tigers continue their quest for European glory.

Although twice European champions Leicester won at Stade Marcel-Michelin in 2006, they lost on their last three visits including a quarter-final clash eight years ago. For England prop Genge, France’s Massif Central offers a new rugby experience, leading the Tigers out at a ground where Clermont’s European pedigree was forged.

Clermont featured in three European Cup finals in five seasons between 2013 and 2017 and although they lost them all, few teams have emerged unscathed from a trip to their compact but richly atmospheric 19,000-capacity home. “I got asked earlier this season what stadium would I want to play at in France, and I said Clermont,” Genge said. 

“Their fans, their passion, I am all over that. It reminds me of our home ground. I love it. I think it is amazing. What a stadium, and I can’t wait to get over there and get involved. I have played at Bordeaux, Toulon, Racing, and obviously the France game (with England) the other day in Paris – what an atmosphere that was.”