England's Ford signs new three-year deal with Sale

England fly-half George Ford has signed a new three-year contract with Prem side Sale Sharks.

Ford, 32, has been with Sale since joining from Leicester Tigers in the summer of 2022, making 44 appearances and racking up 341 points.

In that time, the Sharks have been the only club to finish in the top four in each season although the closest they came to winning the title was losing to Saracens in the final in 2023.

Ford has won 102 caps for England, making his debut in 2014, and was co-captain for the tour of Argentina and the USA in July.

"With the players and the coaches that we have here, I feel like I can still improve and be challenged as a player," he said.

"I feel the best place for me to do that is right here."

Ford has been one of the most consistent players in The Prem since his move to Sale, with the number 10 at the heart of their consistent play and helping them finish second, fourth and third respectively in the regular-season table.

Many observers felt he was unlucky not to be included in the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia this summer, but missing out enabled him to pick up his 100th England cap in the win over Argentina in La Plata.

He has carried on his good form into the new domestic season, scoring 30 points in Sale's opening three games in The Prem, while he will hope to be part of Steve Borthwick's England squad for next month's four autumn internationals at Allianz Stadium.

"I want to keep playing well for Sale Sharks and I want to keep influencing the team as much as I can," said Ford. "That comes first.

"I love playing for my country but I know that I only get that opportunity if I'm playing consistently well for Sale. So that's my focus."

For Sale's director of rugby Alex Sanderson, being able to tie down a player of Ford's ability is a huge statement of intent as they try to land a first Prem title since 2006.

"George is in the form of his life and he's a player we've built a team around," said Sanderson.

"He's the sort of player who attracts top quality players to want to play for the club because they all want to learn from him.

"George could have his pick of any club in the world and he chooses Sale Sharks and that's big testament to us and what we're building."