Sale move into pole position to sign want-away George Ford

George Ford, who has been eyeing a move away from the Recreation Ground all season, has been given permission to depart Bath Rugby.

Since the departure of dad Mike as Bath's head coach, Ford has constantly been move with a link away from the high-flying Blue, Black and White with Christmas Eve opponents Wasps among the list of clubs Ford has been recieving interest from.

It now appears however that the Sale Sharks are in the running for the England international fly-half.

On Monday, Bath Director of Rugby Todd Blackadder admitted that the club will not deny the star a move should he want it.

Earlier on in the campaign Ford exercised an option in his contract that allows him to leave the Rec next summer.

Despite the clause though Bath will still be due a compensation fee for the 23-year-old.

“If George makes a decision to leave at the end of the year, that will be his decision and it will be one that we will respect,” Blackadder said.

“Internally it is something for him and people who look after George and those decisions. I have not tried to get too deep with him, I just want him to really enjoy his rugby in the time we have left for him.

"He is really enjoying rugby. When he gets back here, he leads the team really well. There will be a lot of speculation around his future but we will be guided by what he wants to do and we’ll just take it as it comes.”