Misfiring Ford needs a big performance to boost Lions chances
George Ford rolled back the years with a remarkable cameo in Cardiff to assist multiple tries as England ran riot at the Principality back in March.
Harlequin Fc
Sale Sharks
George Ford rolled back the years with a remarkable cameo in Cardiff to assist multiple tries as England ran riot at the Principality back in March.
The Sale Sharks fly-half's stellar display reminded the rugby public of his incredible passing range with an outstanding ability to play flat to the line.
Given he faces stiff competition at fly-half to tour Down Under, Ford may very well be in contention for the greatest 10 to never tour with the Lions.
Failed to kick on since Cardiff cameo
His England heroics put him back in the spotlight, but truth be told, his performances since have been shaky at best.
Against Toulouse in Sale's Champions Cup last 16 match, Ford failed to live up to the Test-match-like occasion.
The near England centurion missed a routine conversion, twice kicked the ball out on the full and struggled to make an impact - even when Sale were on top in the first half.
His performances off the tee have left a lot to be desired this season, and when he lines up against x this weekend in a crunch match with play-off permutations at stake, it may be the last chance saloon for his Lions aspirations.
Has Ford been presented a potential lifeline in coach Johnny Sexton?
If Ford can reignite the magic displayed against Wales with a performance any England or Sale fan knows he's capable of, then that could be enough to enter Andy Farrell's selection conundrum.
Johnny Sexton announced he would be linking up with the Lions in Australia and with the Irish legend openly talking about him preferring more of a pragmatic 10 than a loose cannon, perhaps Ford's chances have increased.
Sexton said last year he would take Owen Farrell, but the Racing 92 man is second choice at his club currently and has hardly made any worthy impact for the Parisians. With nepotism at stake if Farrell senior takes Farrell junior, will Ford be thought of as a better alternative?
BBC rugby union correspondent, Chris Jones, revealed in a recent podcast that Ford would be his Lions 10, but the former Bath and Leicester Tigers man isn't on many other selectors' radars, with most predictors opting for a mix of Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Sam Prendergast and Marcus Smith.
A big performance on Saturday at the Stoop though could be just what Ford needs to change that.