Vintage Ford is genuine Lions contender - Sanderson

George Ford has won 99 England caps since making his debut in 2014

Sale Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson has backed George Ford for British and Irish Lions selection after witnessing his "masterclass" in Friday's Premiership victory at Newcastle Falcons.

Ford set up two of Sale's five tries and kicked 14 points as he ran the game from fly-half at Kingston Park.

This came just six days after an impressive cameo for England against Wales in Cardiff.

Lions coach Andy Farrell names his touring party for Australia on 8 May, and club boss Sanderson cannot see why Ford, 32, would not be selected.

"If George plays like that in the next seven games, it would be very hard not to pick him," said Sanderson.

"Plus the experience he's got and what he brings you in the week."

'George can bring people together'

Ford's 25-minute spell at the Principality Stadium was his only rugby of the Six Nations, but he set up two of England's four tries while he was on the field.

Then he took the form with him to Kingston Park in a player-of-the-match display described as a "masterclass" by former Scotland full-back Hugo Southwell, who was on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports.

Ford was orchestrating his team-mates, he had a kicking percentage of 86%, while he provided the highlight of the match with a gorgeous cross kick for Joe Carpenter to slide down on to score, as a sign of a player at the top of his powers.

Ford now has 99 England caps, but despite over a decade of international experience, he has never made a Lions squad.

Although he has had the two Smiths, Northampton's Fin and Marcus of Harlequins, ahead of him in the England pecking order, Lions selection is different.

It is expected that Scotland's Finn Russell will be one of the number 10s selected, so the question will be who Farrell picks to complement the Bath player.

Both Smiths will come into the equation to make it onto the plane along with Ireland duo Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley.

George Ford has been on the winning side in his past seven games for club and country

But for such a unique environment as a Lions squad, Sanderson believes that Ford ticks the right boxes.

"George is like a coach on the field for you," said Sanderson. "You learn best from your peers and particularly in a Lions squad where you've got to bring people together, George is a brilliant character at doing that.

"He helps me out all the time with that. There are loads of factors that lead into him being a good option for the Lions."

For Sale, Ford has led the Sharks into the top four in each of the past two seasons.

Currently fifth, the Sharks will need a strong last six games to match that, but Sanderson knows what is possible with his fly-half purring.

"He's certainly got the bit between his teeth," he added.

"You can see it in his eyes, how's he galvanised the squad, driving them and being able to deliver a performance like that.

"It's brilliant to have him on board. We'll need him in that kind of form if we're going to make play-offs and win cups."