"Time is up" – Steve Borthwick told to axe 96-cap star 'booed' by England fans at the weekend
11/12/2024 11:45 AM
The pressure is on for England head coach Steve Borthwick to reconsider his faith in George Ford. Just weeks after the fly-half secured a coveted Elite Player Squad contract, questions are being raised about his place in the team.
Join the RUCK's WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Last month, the RFU revealed that 17 elite players had been selected to receive an annual £160,000 fee for their commitment to England, with Borthwick holding control over their medical and fitness needs.
Goode's Verdict: "Ford's Time is Up"
Former England fly-half Andy Goode didn't hold back when speaking on The Rugby Pod with Jim Hamilton. "He is bringing George Ford on at 65 minutes and the whole crowd is booing, and that is a sign of everyone has been talking about you have got to leave Marcus Smith at 10," Goode claimed.
Ford's substitution didn't sit well with fans, and Goode believes Smith deserves to remain as the first-choice fly-half. "At this point we are chasing the game a bit, and Marcus Smith at 10, he creates two or three tries and then you move him to full-back and bring George Ford on. I'm sorry, George Ford's time is up as an England player. I don't think he should be in the squad. He hasn't played enough rugby this year to earn the right."
Ford on 96 Caps: A Step Closer to the Century
Sitting on 96 caps, Ford is just a few appearances away from a century, with opportunities looming against South Africa and Japan. But Goode remains unconvinced, suggesting Northampton's Fin Smith is a better option. He didn't stop there, pointing to Ford's role in England's defensive collapse against Australia.
Ford's Late-Game Decisions Under Fire
Goode criticized Ford's decision-making, especially highlighting a costly intercepted pass: "Like, last week you are bringing George Ford on to close out the game and this is a Steve issue and a George Ford issue. This week, with five minutes to go, we have ourselves in a winning position."
Goode went on to question Ford's game management. "When you are talking about game management, you are talking about experience and you are talking about 75 minutes into the game, you are two points up and you have got a lineout in and around the halfway line – that is an awful play to call at that point by George Ford."
Ford's position in the England setup looks uncertain, as even his experience isn't keeping critics at bay.
Editors picks:
- 75kg dumbbells – Five Rugby Beasts Who Could Rip Your Gym Apart
- Statement: RFU confirms they plan to reduce the capacity of Allianz Stadium
- Finn Russell's Missus Shuts Down Trolls with Absolute Savagery
- Courtney Lawes wants to make return to international rugby in 2025
2025 Six Nations Fixtures
ROUND 1
- Friday 31 January
- France vs Wales – 8.15pm
- Saturday 1 February
- Scotland vs Italy – 2.15pm
- Ireland vs England – 4.45pm
ROUND 2
- Saturday 8 February
- Italy vs Wales – 2.15pm
- England vs France – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 February
- Scotland vs Ireland – 3pm
ROUND 3
- Saturday 22 February
- Wales vs Ireland – 2.15pm
- England vs Scotland – 4.45pm
- Sunday 23 February
- Italy vs France – 3pm
ROUND 4
- Saturday 8 March
- Ireland vs France – 2.15pm
- Scotland vs Wales – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 March
- England vs Italy – 3pm
ROUND 5
- Saturday 15 March
- Italy vs Ireland – 2.15pm
- Wales vs England – 4.45pm
- France vs Scotland – 8pm
AI predicts the next 20 Six Nations winners, Scotland finally win it
Groundbreaking AI technology has unveiled its jaw-dropping forecasts for the next two decades of Six Nations glory, and the results are nothing short of mind-blowing.
According to the cutting-edge predictions, England is poised to clinch victory in a staggering five out of the next 20 tournaments, while Scotland is primed for a historic triumph, marking their first title since their Five Nations conquest in 1999.
However, the road ahead seems daunting for Wales, as the AI oracle forecasts a prolonged wait until 2041 for their next taste of Six Nations glory.
Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses such as England, Ireland, and France are slated to dominate the competition, casting a shadow over Welsh aspirations.
Check out the next 20 Six Nations winner’s below.
2025: France
2026: Ireland
2027: England
2028: England
2029: Scotland
2030: France
2031: Ireland
2032: England
2033: Ireland
2034: France
2035: Ireland
2036: England
2037: Scotland
2038: France
2039: Ireland
2040: England
2041: Wales
2042: France
2043: Ireland
The post “Time is up” – Steve Borthwick told to axe 96-cap star ‘booed’ by England fans at the weekend appeared first on Ruck.
