Friday 13 February 2015 23:31, UK
Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs says England have a “rare” talent in fly-half George Ford.
Youngs and Ford will start as England’s half-back partnership for the fourth straight game in England’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.
Youngs watched Ford come through the Leicester academy before the youngster moved to Bath where he has blossomed into England’s first-choice fly-half.
Ford, who is still only 21, breezed through his toughest test yet in the 21-16 victory over Wales in Cardiff last week and Youngs views him as a special talent.
"When George was at Leicester, I was pleased he was a 10, not a nine, otherwise I might have been the one moving!" Youngs said.
"I was fortunate enough to see him come through from the academy at Leicester into the first team and watch him kick on.
"I don't think I'll see another guy like that come through the system at club level until I retire.
"He's just so mature for his age in the way he plays. You'd think he has played more Tests than he actually has.
"He leads, not in terms of talking, but he gives everyone direction in terms of what he wants as the fly-half. Guys like that are very rare.
"George's mind-set is to attack and have a go, which is good. I enjoy that. Playing for Leicester together for a couple of years has certainly helped us find our feet quickly here."
Youngs admits that the players are well aware that their performances in the Six Nations are going to have a major bearing on coach Stuart Lancaster’s thinking when it comes to the line-up for the first game of the World Cup later this year.
Once the Azzurri have been negotiated only six further games - four of them on home soil - will remain to complete preparations for England 2015.
"Every game is a dress rehearsal for a World Cup. Italy is a dress rehearsal for a home World Cup," the Leicester captain said.
"We've only got seven games before our first game in the tournament against Fiji, so there are only so many dress rehearsals you can have.
"Everyone wants to put their hand up and stake a claim come the World Cup. As a team, week by week, we have got to push on from where we are at."
