Six Nations: Ross Ford hooked since Dunc slammed the English

Published on Saturday 13 March 2010 11:11

ROSS FORD today recalled the RBS Six Nations and Calcutta Cup moment that inspired him on the journey to become a Scotland winner against England and a subsequent British Lion, writes BILL LOTHIAN.

Within six years of watching Duncan Hodge's try clinch the spoils in 2000 Ford came off the bench to share in a similar triumph while 2008 saw him part of the starting line-up that also won.

But the 36-times capped Edinburgh hooker traces it all back to a rain-lashed day when Hodge burrowed over from close range at the opposite end of the ground to where he was sitting with the rest of the Scottish under-16 team.

"I've got more experience of Scotland wins than losses over England at Murrayfield one way or another and thanks partly to Duncan Hodge" said Ford, adding: "The first time I ever attended the fixture was with the Scottish under-16s and we took what happened on board to the extent that we went out the next day and beat our Yorkshire Schools opponents.

"It definitely was something that inspired me, the way the Scotland players worked and how they dug out the victory that day.

"From then on, I wanted to wear the jersey and play in a packed Murrayfield and I'm conscious of the positive effect the type of result I witnessed can have."

The line-out, which Ford is an integral part of with his throwing, will be a key element against England this evening but, typically, Ford played down his contribution. He said: "In Al Kellock, Jim Hamilton and Nathan Hines we have plenty of options to throw to.

"On top of that, Al is calling our moves well and what is required now is mainly a bit more confidence. If we can move forward by imposing ourselves in the loose then there is even more chance of things starting to click."

Ford's fellow Lion, Euan Murray, will bring a bit of inside knowledge as a Northampton colleague of England hooker Dylan Hartley and he said: "The past few results have been frustrating but it is fine tuning rather than drastic action that is required.

"As for Dylan, he is becoming well established in the England team with his ball carrying and set-piece work. We know each other's strengths and weaknesses and there's been a fair bit of talk about the Scotland-England game, which has been a highlight for me either watching or playing from the time I first started to take notice in the early 1990s."