Having positioned himself precisely, Ford caught the return kick before pointing Jasper Wiese towards his right shoulder. He then accelerated slightly to beat Matsushima, drew another Clermont defender and slipped away an effortless pass. Wiese was able to drive up the touchline. Minutes later, with field position earned by this unfussy build-up play and another clever chip from Jack van Poortvliet, Leicester scored.
The contribution of Ford was typical of the understated yet authoritative manner of his performances for Tigers. Initiating subtle momentum shifts as the conductor of a collective effort gives him satisfaction, even if wider appreciation is not always forthcoming.
“I do feel like I’m getting better all the time,” Ford explains. “The biggest thing you can bring is the decisions you make on the field, especially as a 10. Understanding the game – when to bring the tempo up and when to bring it down – and understanding when to kick or when to keep hold of it.
“It’s all those types of decisions that contribute to the team being in control of the game and I think this is the most important thing. Sometimes I think these days people get judged on how exciting a game is and big plays.”
Ford has always been able to articulate the trends of his sport eloquently. While its tone remains pleasant, his next observation addresses a minor gripe.
“I think what’s gone out of the game, or is not as fashionable, is if you do your job as a team of individuals unbelievably well and you dominate the game,” he adds.
“It’s not… it’s not exciting enough for people sometimes. Do you know what I mean? There are not these big plays.
“But, at the end of the day, you want to be a team who, 80 per cent of the time, have a good chance of winning the game because you’re doing your job. That’s what we’re trying to do here, to be incredibly hard to beat as a team.”
Diligence and efficiency are indelible qualities of this Tigers outfit. But, as Ford points out, they applied enough pressure to register five tries in Clermont. Hosea Saumaki’s finish was preceded by a regathered box-kick, a flicked offload from Hanro Liebenberg, a crisp Calum Green pull-back and two more long passes. Dan Kelly’s was first and then Ford found Freddie Steward with easy excellence.
Steve Borthwick has instilled an unwavering, week-to-week focus at Leicester. Publicly, at least, Ford prefers not express how much it would mean for him to sign off with a trophy before leaving Tigers, the club he first represented as a 16-year-old in 2009, for Sale Sharks at the end of the season.
Supporters have started to dream of silverware, however. And why not? With a Premiership semi-final secure, Leicester have a 19-point cushion for the second leg of their last-16 tie against Clermont. Finish the job and they will welcome Connacht or Leinster to Welford Road.
As far as senior figures that have continued to evolve, Richard Wigglesworth is a fine role model. The 38-year-old scrum-half, now a player-coach with Leicester, recognises a kindred spirit in Ford.
“George’s attitude means he will always get better, because he’s got a desire to improve,” he says. “It’s not a pretend desire to improve and tell everyone how he’s going to improve. He actually goes out and does it.
“Day to day, he thinks about his game. He’s a pleasure to play with, a pleasure to work with. It’s no surprise he’s playing really well. I’m sure that’ll continue for the rest of the season… and hopefully not as much after that.”
With tongue in cheek, Wigglesworth acknowledges what an impressive signing Sale have made. Leicester fans can be grateful that Ford has significant days ahead while still a Tiger.
