Mike Ford: England call-up 'justifies' George's Bath switch

Bath head coach Mike Ford says his son George's decision to leave Leicester and join him at the Rec is vindicated by his selection in England's elite squad for the Six Nations.

The uncapped 20-year-old replaces ex-Leicester team-mate Toby Flood in head coach Stuart Lancaster's 35-man party.

Fly-half Ford left the Tigers in the summer in an effort to establish himself as a first-team regular.

"He's justified the decision by getting into the squad," said Mike Ford.

Talking to BBC Radio Bristol he added: "Last year George took a great leap to leave Leicester Tigers, the champion club, to come and prove himself, to make things happen for himself.

"That was a massive decision for a guy so young."

In 2011 Ford became the first Englishman to win the International Rugby Board's young player of the year award and at just 18, was the youngest player at the Junior World Championships in Italy.

As a fringe player at Welford Road, being overlooked for senior England selection, his father said the youngster was determined to fast-track his progress.

"Two or three years ago, when he was named world junior player of the year, most of that team he was part of have gone on to get senior caps and he is one of the last ones," he said.

"Now that he is in the squad, it's a great advert of a young kid making something happen rather than waiting for it to happen."

The Bath coach also feels back Anthony Watson is ready to prove himself as a Test player after being promoted from England's second-string Saxons squad.

"What he has to show is that he has the composure, character and mental attributes to perform at Test level and the only way to find out is to throw the kid in now," he added.

"He has all the talent to do that, it's whether he can cope under that pressure."