ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

George Ford set to leave Leicester for Premiership rivals Sale

BY Grant Constable  ·  Wednesday Nov 17, 2021

England fly-half George Ford will join Sale ahead of the 2022-23 Gallagher Premiership season. The 28-year-old, capped by England on 77 occasions, has signed a three-year deal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ford, who returned to Leicester in 2017, will now leave Welford Road for a second time, having previously joined Bath in 2013.

Following the announcement, Ford, who elected against taking up an option to stay with the Tigers, said: “It has been the most difficult decision of my career.

“I am proud and grateful to represent this great club at Leicester and I will give my all for the rest of my time at Tigers.”

In a separate statement posted to the Sharks’ website, Oldham-born Ford added: “I’m excited about what the future holds – playing rugby in the North West, representing the club where I am from and helping drive Sale Sharks forward.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Ford made his debut for England seven years ago before playing key roles in the Red Rose’s Grand Slam triumph and run to the World Cup final in 2016 and 2019 respectively.

However, he was overlooked by Eddie Jones for this year’s autumn internationals.

Leicester top the Premiership after eight wins from eight matches, with Sale 20 points adrift in eighth.

Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson said: “George Ford is world class – one of the very best fly-halves in the game over the past five years.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This season he’s probably playing the best rugby of his career, so we’re getting him at the right time.

“I met him twice and we had the chance to show him around the ground and the fact that he’s taken this decision, in the form that he’s in, with Leicester doing so well, tells me that he believes in the ambition of this club, and in the culture that we’re building.

“He’s a northerner and his heart is very much in this area. He’s been away for some years now, but he’s coming back to his spiritual home. His family is hugely important to him and I know that his life outside rugby has played a part in this move.

“The exciting thing for me is that he’s 28 years old and he’s coming here in the form of his life. We aspire to be a major force in the Premiership and in Europe too and we’ve got one of the world’s best fly-halves in his pomp.

“It’s a massive boost for the club and it’s a big indication of what we’re all about and where we’re trying to get to.”

Ford made his first appearance for the Tigers in 2009 before winning the Premiership title four years later and then moving to Bath. He re-joined Leicester in 2017 and is the league’s top scorer this season.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

Video Spacer

Related Articles

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 47 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 17 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 22 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 11 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 14 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 10 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 114 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 114 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 137 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 12 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 13 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 16 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All