George Ford feels England have 'endless potential'
Sunday 20 March 2016 20:27, UK
George Ford does not think England's Grand Slam victory will be the last big celebration they enjoy under Eddie Jones.
Jones' reign as England coach could hardly have started better, with the 31-21 win over France on Saturday meaning his first five games in charge ended with victory.
A first Grand Slam since 2003 was secured in Paris, with a first Six Nations title since 2011 having been wrapped up the week before against Wales, and England now look forward to a summer tour to Australia in nothing but positive light.
"This is only the start for us and while we're glad to have done this, we understand we need to get better as well," Ford said.
"There's so much more time to come. The potential is endless. This is a small start to becoming a better team.
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"We understand there are tougher things to come, but if we stay humble and grounded and keep working hard and enjoying each other's company, then this team can go places."
Just as they had been throughout the tournament, England were thoroughly tested by a wounded France side, but unlike previous attempts at winning the Grand Slam there would be no final hurdle disappointment.
And Ford feels Jones has been the catalyst behind their new-found determination, something that was not always the case under Stuart Lancaster's leadership, which ended with an early exit from the World Cup on home soil last year.
"Eddie is a really honest guy and he'll tell you straight what it is you need to do to take your game to the next level," Ford added.
"The biggest thing for me is that he's created an enjoyable environment and the lads have responded brilliantly to that. Training has been taken to the next level.
"He's installed a way of playing into us and wants us to attack teams and that's the way the lads like playing. We've worked hard and it's been a tough eight weeks, but it's been an enjoyable one at the same time.
"The boys are over the moon. We've been second for the last four years so to win it and get the Grand Slam has left us chuffed to bits.
"After the World Cup we went away, stuck together and the majority of that squad was involved in this. Sometimes you have to take things like what happened then on the chin and stay grounded."