3. George Ford injury update – Sale fly half wants to make return ahead of schedule
England and Sale Sharks fans held their collective breath, as they witnessed fly half George Ford pull up with a tear to his right quad. Ford’s injury was a bizarre won, as he pulled up after a kick at goal, just seven minutes into Sale’s match against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium. Ford’s initial diagnosis was not a preferable one, with the halfback determined to defy the odds for a return to the pitch ahead of schedule.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “George rang me a few weeks ago, shortly after the injury had been diagnosed and he said… we’d both had the medical and scan reports and he was very clear. He said “Steve, I know what it says and I’m going to beat that and be back a lot quicker than that”. He said “Steve I’ll be back” and he’s doing really well.
“I spoke to him a couple of days ago, he’s done plenty of running, he’s done goal-kicking already and he’s running again today and Friday and he’ll continue his rehab with us next week. Sale have been excellent, the medical team have liaised with ours, and the way Alex has approached it has been top-class. It’s been no surprise that with George’s attitude, he’s doing as well as he is.”
4. Fraser Dingwall’s status after Northampton midfielder suffered a knee injury
Borthwick’s midfield plans were further thinned out, after Fraser Dingwall sustained a knee injury in a recent match for Northampton Saints. The centre was ruled out of Borthwick’s plans, with Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence and Alex Lozowski providing the options in the 12 and 13 shirts.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “Fraser took a knock a few weeks ago. He’s been managing that, playing really well and managing that. There’s a bit more assessment into that last week means he needs a period of offloading so that’s then meant we’re not sure how much on-field time he’d have next week with us.
“We made a decision that he should stay at Northampton for next week, we’d assess it thereafter where he’s at. I spoke to Fraser a couple of days ago regarding that. He’s very positive about the recovery he’s having from this knock. We don’t anticipate him missing for a very long time. A short turnaround.”
5. Felix Jones will work remotely with England this Autumn as Joe El-Abd comes in
Despite departing the England team after the Summer tour of Japan and New Zealand, former defence coach Felix Jones will be working in a remote role with Borthwick’s staff. The Irishman has been confirmed to take up an analysis role, with a focus upon unearthing the secrets of England’s opponents. Jones will also have a help in handing over the defensive reins to Joe El-Abd, who has arrived at Twickenham as defence coach.
STEVE BORTHWICK: “What it entails, the specific projects regarding analysis is one of Felix’s great strengths as a coach. His analysis and study of the opposition so he’s doing that and the other part is his handover and transition to Joe El-Abd taking our defence going forward and I think that’s also important.
“Felix has been great in the work he’s done and the preparation and you’ve got somebody who has that knowledge and is that good at analysing the opposition. Now, I feel fortunate that Joe has been able to join us so quickly, which has meant that there’s no requirement for Felix in camp.
“And clearly Felix has decided to go in a different direction which means with the coach of the quality of Joe in camp it means will we have that transition which has gone well and now it’s Joe leading the defence.”
