England star George Ford set for code switch despite playing against All Blacks this weekend
10/31/2024 03:10 AM
In a twist for England's George Ford, his father Mike has revealed that the fly-half could finish his career in rugby league – his first sporting love.
England Star, New Dad, and… Future Rugby League Player?
The Sale Sharks playmaker, who welcomed his first child earlier this year, has made quite the career in rugby union, tallying up an impressive 414 points in 96 caps for England.
But Ford has a surprising plan for his final years – one rooted in the rugby league tradition he grew up with.
Ford's League Legacy: From Union Fly-Half to League Local Hero
The 31-year-old has made a name in union, playing for Leeds Carnegie, Bath, and Leicester Tigers before joining Sale Sharks three seasons ago.
But his roots are firmly in league: he played for Saddleworth Rangers and Waterhead before training with the Wigan Warriors and Bradford Bulls academies as a teen.
Coming Full Circle: Oldham Beckons for Ford
Mike Ford, an Oldham RLFC co-owner and league icon, shared on the League Express podcast that he and his son have mapped out a return to league.
Appearing on the League Express podcast, he explained: "I'm not telling lies. We have sat down and worked out his career.
“He has just turned 31, so we have gone, 'This is what you are doing at 32, 33, 34 and 35' and when he is 35, he will play for Oldham rugby."
The Three Richest Couples in World Rugby
Rugby has produced some of the most iconic athletes in the sporting world, but for a select few, success on the pitch has also led to immense wealth off it.
From high-profile marriages to lucrative endorsements and television appearances, these rugby stars have built financial empires.
Here's a look at three couples who have combined their sporting legacies with fame and fortune, amassing millions along the way.
Mike and Zara Tindall – £20m
Mike Tindall is known not just for his rugby prowess but for his royal connections. As the husband of Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Tindall has become a prominent figure in British media.
Nicknamed "The Fridge" due to his imposing physique, Tindall was a stalwart on the rugby field, famously breaking his nose at least eight times over the course of his career. Since retiring from the sport, he's made a name for himself in the entertainment world, appearing on popular reality shows such as I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, The Jump, Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club, and All-Star Poker Challenge.
Despite his success in sports and entertainment, Tindall's wealth has been largely bolstered by his royal ties, with his net worth estimated at £20 million, according to British media.
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