1
Leicester boss Steve Borthwick hailed George Ford’s influence on another dominant Gallagher Premiership display after the Tigers demolished Worcester 48-3 at Sixways.
ADVERTISEMENT
The league leaders’ fifth successive win this season put them seven points clear of second-placed Harlequins.
It also confirmed their best start to a Premiership campaign since the competition began 24 years ago.
Leicester fly-half Ford, who has won 77 caps, was left out of England head coach Eddie Jones’ recent training squad.
But he has maintained impressive form ahead of Jones naming his playing group on Monday for the Autumn Nations Series that features Twickenham appointments with Tonga, Australia and South Africa.
“George did everything good today,” Leicester head coach Borthwick said. “He pulled the strings and was very, very good.
“Whether he is in the England squad is not my call, but he looked very sharp.
“I want to help my players to be the best they can be and help their aspirations.”
The Tigers were home and dry by the interval following tries for wing Harry Potter, centre Matias Moroni and hooker Julian Montoya, leaving Worcester reeling.
ADVERTISEMENT
Former England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth scored a bonus-point try midway through the second period, before hooker Nic Dolly claimed his fifth try of the season as Leicester ensured no let-up during the closing minutes, then wing Nemani Nadolo powered over, substitute Freddie Burns crossed and Burns added two conversions.
Ford finished with nine points from three conversions and a penalty, and Borthwick added: “We still have things to improve on and fix.
“We have Sale next, and they looked really good against Harlequins on Friday, so that will be a big challenge.
“I try to keep it simple in my own mind. I take lessons from this game, and as soon as the final whistle goes I am looking at Sale next week.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I’ve said to the players to enjoy this win, they worked very hard, recover well tomorrow and then think of Sale.”
Worcester, beaten 42-5 by Exeter last weekend, were once again on the end of a major drubbing as they slumped to a fourth Premiership defeat on the bounce.
Fly-half Billy Searle contributed their only points through a first-half penalty, and Leicester cut loose during the second period, scoring four tries during the final 22 minutes.
And life is not about to get any easier for Worcester, with their next two games being away against Northampton and at home to Sale.
Warriors head coach Jonathan Thomas said: “It’s very difficult, it is a bitter pill to swallow and to lose in that fashion is truly disappointing.
“That was probably the most complete team performance I have seen in the Premiership in a long time. They steamrollered us, and physically they dominated.
“Your emotions are probably one of embarrassment and disappointment, but we know we are not a bad team and have to work hard to put this right.
“They are at the top of this league for a reason.”
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
37 Go to comments