George Ford is back in the England fold, 10 months after his last international cap
(Picture: Getty Images)George Ford is set for a return to the England squad today as they wait to learn the extent of captain Owen Farrell’s ankle injury.
Farrell hurt his ankle during training with Saracens last week and he is due to see a specialist in the next 48 hours to establish the severity of the problem.
The 30-year-old is expected to miss England’s Six Nations opener against Scotland a week on Saturday and Courtney Lawes, who led the side in the autumn when Farrell was injured, is likely to be captain for that clash.
England need cover for Farrell at fly-half though, as uncapped 20-year-old Orlando Bailey and 22-year-old Marcus Smith are the only out-and-out options in the squad, and Ford is set to be called up to the 36-man training group meeting in Brighton today.
Ford last played for England in March last year after he was rested for the summer victories over the United States and Canada, before being left out of the squad for the autumn.
The 28-year-old has responded well to his exile and his performances have helped Leicester climb to the top of the Premiership this season.
Ford faces a fight to start for England, though, as Harlequins’ Smith has established himself as the first-choice fly-half.
Farrell, who had been due to play for Saracens this weekend for the first time since November after overcoming a different ankle injury, would have likely operated at inside-centre, next to Smith, and that position is now up for grabs ahead of the trip to Scotland.
England will be hoping any injury to Farrell is not too serious and Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is optimistic he will still play some part in the Six Nations.
“Owen is going to see a specialist in the early part of the week and that will determine how long he’s going to be out,” said McCall.
“I don’t think he is going to be available for the Scotland game. He’s obviously hugely, hugely disappointed.
“It’s cruel. It happened right at the end of a training session, a really accidental thing — he stood on someone’s foot and turned his ankle.
“We did some extra backline plays right at the end, an unopposed thing, so it’s really, really unfortunate and really cruel for him, but he’s a strong character and I’m sure he won’t be out long.”
After the Scotland game, England play Italy in Rome eight days later.
