"Bigger picture" - England star George Ford continues to be stood down from rugby

Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 17:27

byRugby Rucker

Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson has confirmed that George Ford will not return this weekend, despite being close to full fitness.

The England fly-half has been sidelined since suffering an abductor strain in Sale’s defeat to Exeter Chiefs three weeks ago, and although progress has been encouraging, the upcoming Premiership clash has come too soon.

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Ford was back running earlier this week and is edging closer to selection, but Sanderson admits the club are taking a cautious approach.

“He is really close. He was running today (Wednesday) and running well again. I said it would be a week or two, but I don’t think it’s going to be a George Ford – Fin Smith showdown this weekend, unfortunately.”

Instead, Sale are expected to continue with Rob du Preez in the playmaking role, with Ford now targeting a return against Harlequins on Boxing Day.

Sanderson revealed that the decision was finely balanced, but insisted it was taken out of the player’s hands.

“It was on the wire whether we could select him or not. But I don’t see that happening at this point. If we asked him, he would say he is good to go and is playing, and we have got to take that decision out of the players’ hands.”

The Sale boss stressed that long-term goals were central to the call, including Ford’s ambitions on the international stage.

“There is a bigger picture, and for his long-term fitness. We discussed his dream to lead a side into a World Cup Final and win a World Cup, so I’m bearing that in mind when he is in the thick of it, saying he is good to go.”

Ford’s situation is also influenced by his £150k EPS enhanced contract, which gives the RFU a say in his workload and availability.

“He is also an enhanced EPS, so England have their say in this as well, and they want to make sure he is in the right spot. It works well, and we signed up for that. So I’m good with it,” said Sanderson.

EDITORS PICKS:

2025 Rugby World Cup draw:

As hosts, Australia takes its spot in Pool A, while the rest of the line-up was revealed live as teams were drawn.

The men’s Rugby World Cup is set to be bigger than ever: 24 nations, seven cities, six weeks, one trophy. Fans have already been invited to register for pre-sale access and get ready to experience the action firsthand.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson was joined on stage by legends: former Rugby World Cup winner Dan Carter, Australia’s most-capped male player James Slipper, and Olympic gold medallist Alicia Lucas, to conduct the official draw.

Each of the six pools featured a team from Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The confirmed Bands based on rankings were:

Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada

2027 Rugby World Cup draw:

Pool A

New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.

Pool B

South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.

Pool C

Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.

Pool D

Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.

Pool E

France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.

Pool F

England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.

England's route to the final:

England head into Pool F as strong favorites, facing Wales, Tonga, and Zimbabwe. While Wales fans will remember their 2015 World Cup clash, today’s Welsh team is far from that side, and Steve Borthwick’s England squad is on the rise.

Finishing first in Pool F would likely see England face the runner-up of Pool B, probably Italy or Georgia. Either would be a favorable matchup, as England have never lost to the Azzurri or the Lelos. While South Africa finishing second is unlikely, Italy did beat them for the first time in 2016.

The next challenge would come from Pool A or Pool E. Pool A is expected to be contested between hosts Australia and New Zealand, who have only lost one World Cup group match in history. Australia finishing second would set up a quarter-final clash with England, a repeat of 2019 when England won 40-16. Otherwise, England could face the runner-up from Pool E, which includes France, Japan, USA, and Samoa.

If England reach the semi-finals, they would likely meet the winner of Pool C or D—Argentina, Ireland, or Scotland. A potential final could then see them face one of South Africa, New Zealand, or France.

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!