England Star Given Permission To Leave Club At The End Of The Season

Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder has admitted that the club will not stand in George Ford’s way if the England outhalf wants to leave the club at the end of the season. 

Ford has been linked with a move away from the Premiership side in recent months following his father’s abrupt departure. Ford has been linked with a number of side’s in recent weeks including Wasps, Leicester and Northampton, but Sale Sharks reportedly lead the way for his signature.

Ford’s contract returns until the end of the 2018 season, but it’s believed that he has a break clause and with Blackadder’s blessing, all that stands in the way is the small matter of compensation that Bath would be owed in the event of any move.

Blackadder has repeatedly praised the England star, likening him to Dan Carter who he coached at the Crusaders, but now seems resigned to losing him to one of his Premiership rivals.

If George makes a decision to leave at the end of the year, that will be his decision and it will be one that we will respect,” Blackadder said

“Internally it is something for him and people who look after George and those decisions.

I have not tried to get too deep with him, I just want him to really enjoy his rugby in the time we have left for him.

He is really enjoying rugby. When he gets back here, he leads the team really well.

There will be a lot of speculation around his future but we will be guided by what he wants to do and we’ll just take it as it comes.”

Sources close to Sale are confident of securing Ford’s signature in the new year.

[Telegraph]