Sale Sharks head coach\u00a0Alex Sanderson\u00a0has confirmed that\u00a0George Ford will not return this weekend, despite being close to full fitness.<\/p>\n
The England fly-half has been sidelined since suffering an abductor strain in Sale\u2019s defeat to Exeter Chiefs three weeks ago, and although progress has been encouraging, the upcoming Premiership clash has come too soon.<\/p>\n
Join the RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n Ford was back running earlier this week and is edging closer to selection, but Sanderson admits the club are taking a cautious approach.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is really close. He was running today (Wednesday) and running well again. I said it would be a week or two, but I don\u2019t think it\u2019s going to be a George Ford \u2013 Fin Smith showdown this weekend, unfortunately.\u201d<\/p>\n Instead, Sale are expected to continue with\u00a0Rob du Preez\u00a0in the playmaking role, with Ford now targeting a return against\u00a0Harlequins on Boxing Day.<\/p>\n Sanderson revealed that the decision was finely balanced, but insisted it was taken out of the player\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was on the wire whether we could select him or not. But I don\u2019t see that happening at this point. If we asked him, he would say he is good to go and is playing, and we have got to take that decision out of the players\u2019 hands.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sale boss stressed that long-term goals were central to the call, including Ford\u2019s ambitions on the international stage.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is a bigger picture, and for his long-term fitness. We discussed his dream to lead a side into a World Cup Final and win a World Cup, so I\u2019m bearing that in mind when he is in the thick of it, saying he is good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Ford\u2019s situation is also influenced by his\u00a0\u00a3150k EPS enhanced contract, which gives the RFU a say in his workload and availability.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is also an enhanced EPS, so England have their say in this as well, and they want to make sure he is in the right spot. It works well, and we signed up for that. So I\u2019m good with it,\u201d said Sanderson.<\/p>\n EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n 2025 Rugby World Cup draw:<\/p>\n As hosts,\u00a0Australia\u00a0takes its spot in\u00a0Pool A, while the rest of the line-up was revealed live as teams were drawn.<\/p>\n The men\u2019s Rugby World Cup is set to be\u00a0bigger than ever:\u00a024 nations,\u00a0seven cities,\u00a0six weeks,\u00a0one trophy. Fans have already been invited to register for pre-sale access and get ready to experience the action firsthand.<\/p>\n World Rugby Chair\u00a0Brett Robinson\u00a0was joined on stage by legends: former Rugby World Cup winner\u00a0Dan Carter, Australia\u2019s most-capped male player\u00a0James Slipper, and Olympic gold medallist\u00a0Alicia Lucas, to conduct the official draw.<\/p>\n Each of the six pools\u00a0featured\u00a0a team from Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4.<\/p>\n The confirmed Bands based on rankings\u00a0were:<\/p>\n Band 1:\u00a0South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina 2027 Rugby World Cup draw:<\/p>\n Pool A<\/p>\n New Zealand\u00a0\u2013 Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ. Pool B<\/p>\n South Africa\u00a0\u2013 Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient\u2014never count them out. Pool C<\/p>\n Argentina\u00a0\u2013 Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit. CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading…<\/p>\n
Band 2:\u00a0Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3:\u00a0Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4:\u00a0Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada<\/p>\n
Australia\u00a0\u2013 Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile\u00a0\u2013 Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China\u00a0\u2013 Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.<\/p>\n
Italy\u00a0\u2013 Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia\u00a0\u2013 Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania\u00a0\u2013 Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.<\/p>\n
Fiji\u00a0\u2013 Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain\u00a0\u2013 Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada\u00a0\u2013 Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.<\/p>\n