George Ford: Bath star returns from World Cup duty

Bath hope to improve on last season's run to the Premiership final, when they lost to Saracens

Bath outside-half George Ford was delighted to put the disappointment of England's World Cup campaign behind him in their Premiership win over Exeter.

Ford kicked 14 points and put in a man-of-the-match performance as Bath made a winning start to the new season.

His selection was a surprise with Bath's key England players expected to be given time off after the World Cup.

"I felt good and didn't want a week off. I'd only sulk anyway," 22-year-old Ford told BBC Sport.

Ford, who played a part in all four of England's World Cup games, only returned to The Rec at the start of last week, but was desperate to get back to club action and try and move on from the past month.

"To come back to an environment like this after the disappointment we had is brilliant. It's a joy to be involved in," he said.

"It was great to be back, I've missed it and love playing at The Rec in front of a packed-out crowd.

"I obviously had a conversation with the coaches and my dad (Mike Ford). They asked me how I was feeling. Did I want to play? Where is your head at? Do you want to get straight back into it? To come back and get back out there is ultimately what I love doing."

Bath head coach Ford said his son's return, along with the rest of Bath's World Cup contingent, was a huge boost.

"Anthony Watson and George tell me they are all right and you've got to go with what they say," said Ford Sr. "They are going to have a rest over the next four weeks. The season is too brutal to play week in, week out.

"We didn't put pressure on them to play. Anthony said 'I'm flying and I want to carry on flying'."