Thursday 25 August 2016 22:44, UK
New Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder believes George Ford is a generational talent and says the England fly-half is comparable to Dan Carter at a similar age.
Blackadder only arrived at the Recreation Ground 10 days ago but Ford has already made a very strong impression on him.
Former All Black Blackadder was effusive in his praise of Ford, comparing him to current New Zealand No 10 Beauden Barrett and captain Kieran Read.
"From what I've seen in a short time, George Ford is unbelievable. He's going to be exceptional," Bath's director of rugby said.
"I'd put him up there with Beauden Barrett and Dan Carter and I think he'll be a player of a generation, I really do.
'He's got vision, he sees the opportunities and he's got the skill-set to execute his decisions. He's got a great pass, he's got a great kick, he's tough and he's got genuine gas.
"What I love about him is that he plays right up to the line and takes on defenders, so he's got everything.
"He's very much the same as Dan Carter was at this stage of his career. The thing you won't know about George is that he's a student of the game.
"When it comes to the technical and tactical side, he just gets it. You come across one or two natural leaders, but he's got it all there.
"In training he is talking about the games. He understands defence and he understands attack.
"He's very much like Kieran Read - it's like having a conversation with him. He's almost like a professor of the game."
Ford's club future was thrown into doubt when his dad Mike was sacked last season, the price he paid for presiding over Bath's crash from Aviva Premiership finalists to a ninth-placed finish in just 12 months.
It was suggested that Ford might follow his father out of the west country, but Blackadder insists the matter has been resolved and has installed the 23-year-old as vice-captain.
"I think it has been sorted and that is a real testament to George. He has been fantastic that young man. He is a natural leader," Blackadder said.
"He has been open with me which has been really nice. I need to make sure that he can go out there and express himself. These things are pretty tough. Family always comes first."
