British & Irish Lions flyhalf debate gets heated
REACTION: Alex Sanderson backed George Ford for British and Irish Lions selection after Sale Sharks climbed to second in the Premiership with a 25-7 home victory over play-off rivals Saracens.
Both teams began the game on 44 points and knowing that victory would lift them behind Bath before the rest of this weekend’s fixtures.
A stunning first-half performance laid the platform for Sale’s win as they went 22-7 ahead at the break with tries from Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Ford and Arron Reed.
England flyhalf Ford claimed a 15-point haul to press his claims for inclusion in the Lions squad for their tour of Australia.
the emotion 🥹
8th May 2025: Squad Announcement Day. pic.twitter.com/aCihAGjRYk
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As Andy Farrell prepares to name his squad next month, Sale director of rugby Sanderson said: “We were physical and really clinical at times – and we’re exactly where we want to be since we started setting targets after the Six Nations.
“We’ve got to win every game but George Ford is like a coach on the field. He can manage games and he can break the game evidently from his performance tonight.
“People have put other flyhalves ahead of him because of their attacking, game-breaking prowess. But I think he showed tonight that he’s got that in his game as well – what can’t he do?
“Are there three better flyhalves in Britain and Ireland than George? I don’t think so. He’s in a rich vein of form and he’s taking his team with him – but it [Lions selection] is not down to me.”
Scotland winger Reed also earned special praise for the scintillating try he scored after racing from deep inside his own half.
Sanderson said: “Reedy was man of the match and it was a fantastic try.”
For Saracens’ counterpart Mark McCall it was a night to forget as his team’s play-off hopes were dealt a major blow.
Angus Hall scored a try before the break but McCall said of Sarries’ first-half display: “Sale are a good team and really tough to play against.
“But when you don’t have that momentum and speed of ball, we were 0-22 down, and that’s a mountain to climb.”
McCall, though, could certainly take great heart from the outstanding performance of England back-rower Tom Willis.
The No.8 was so good that even Sale supporters applauded him off the field when he was replaced in the second half.
McCall added: “Tom has certainly grown up this season and for him to make the metres he made against a team like Sale, it takes some doing.
“For Tom to do some of the damage he did was outstanding and showed where he’s at. I think he should definitely be in the conversation for Lions selection.”
