England fly-half George Ford said on Thursday (25th February) his position being targeted by opposition has become "the norm" in rugby and "you've got to embrace it", after Johnny Sexton appeared to be the focus of the French attention in the last round of Six Nations matches.

SOUNDBITE: (English) George Ford, England fly-half

(Q: When opposition do run at you, is that something you have to accept playing in the fly half position?):

"Yeah definitely, even more so these days, at club level, at Premiership it's the norm, week after week I suppose. The more you can make their opposition 10 and kicker tackle, the better really. We are used to it week-in and week-out in the Premiership, it's no different at international level really, you know you expect that, you prepare for that and you know it's part of your job these days and you've got to embrace it."

SOUNDBITE: (English) George Ford, England fly-half

(Q: Do England have an advantage when it comes to the targeting of a fly half in the fact you've also got Owen Farrell in the 12 jersey?):

"Yeah, I think it can only be a good thing for us. We have Browny (Mike Brown) at full back, a left-footer as well who helps us out a lot. Our nines have got a great kicking game, so all of a sudden…I think JJ (Jonathan Joseph) if you shift it to the edge he can kick it as well. So we have got four of five kickers in the back line which should give you a variety of options to use at the weekend if you need to."

SOUNDBITE: (English) George Ford, England fly-half (Q: Has giving the kicking duties to Owen Farrell helped you when you're playing at fly-half?):

Like I said, I still prepare as though I'm going to kick at the weekend. Obviously you don't have the pressure of actually kicking on match day but you never know when that might come as well, you know the one (penalty) against Italy came a bit out of the blue, Owen (Farrell) was on the pitch one minute, was off it the next, so yeah you've still got to prepare, you still do the same week, still train and kick as though I'm going to have to kick those pressure kicks at the weekend."