Bath's George Ford hosts Leicester with aim of showing them what they are missing Ford did, in fact, have many outings for Leicester, notably helping them win the LV Cup two years ago and playing a significant part as a replacement in two Premiership finals. But he wanted to be the leading man, out there performing as a matter of course, taking his knocks, learning his lessons. He assumes nothing about his status, is adamant that he has to earn his stripes and is prepared, as he puts it, "to get a -------ing [from his dad] in training if you deserve a -------ing." But he is a young man in a hurry, and who can blame him given that the next-door neighbour he used to play touch rugby with in the Hertfordshire streets has just returned from a commendable tour of duty with the Lions in Australia. Owen Farrell is 18 months older than Ford, a schoolboy pal since Mike Ford was director of rugby at Saracens eight years ago with Andy Farrell on the books. George has been spurred on by what Owen Farrell has achieved, so too the likes of 23-year-old Gloucester fly-half, Freddie Burns. "They have both done massively well and I want the chance to do that myself," said Ford. That is why I have come to Bath, hopefully to give myself the chance to do that. I'm not going to lie, I was frustrated at Leicester. Like any young lad, you just want to get out there and play. I understood why Leicester picked Toby, of course I do, he is England's fly-half, but that is why I had to be pretty bold with the decision I took. Ford is a polite, pleasant young man, neat and tidy in all aspects as he is in his play. Yet do not be fooled by the placid exterior. Here is a bruiser, Bath lock, Dave Attwood, on Ford. "If you looked as George in the street, you would [age] ID him for a packet of fags," said Attwood. But to hear him speak in a meeting, to hear him command everyone on the field, you would think he was a 35-year-old veteran. He is not afraid to put you into your place. Ford will have to do just that if he is to realise his obvious potential. This is not quite a make-or-break season for him but it does need a breakthrough moment, a sense that he is equipped with all the necessary assets - skill, nerve, resilience, composure and, of course, luck - to make it at the highest level. Bath have given him that opportunity, mindful that they have another rising fly-half star in 21-year-old Tom Heathcote, who has already won three caps for Scotland, and an ageing rocker in Gavin Henson, who has also worn the No 10 shirt with distinction, his tendency to get himself into scrapes notwithstanding. George Ford has been made no guarantees while Mike Ford reveals that Bath have put in place checks and balances in case Ford snr "loses the plot and picks George every week." George has to make the running, and has done just that in close season and led the line with aplomb in the wild and wet North-East against Newcastle last Friday as the Premiership newcomers were put away, 21-0. The annals recording Bath's glory years have been gathering dust. This fixture was once the most explosive as well as the most seminal in the calendar. Saturday's game brings the centenary celebration of meetings between the two clubs, one still a powerhouse, the other with credible aspirations to reclaim their mantle of old. Ford will be central to that quest. The Leicester way of the modern era has to become the Bath way. "Leicester taught me it was all about winning," said Ford. I did love it there, the coaches were special and I still have good mates there as well. There is nothing personal in this game for me. It's not about me showing them anything. It is all about trying to help my team play well. Quiet, unassuming, deferential - at least until that whistle blows. George Ford has centre stage now. The audience is his to command.