George Ford is ruled OUT of England’s summer tour matches against Japan and New Zealand with achilles injury in major blow to Steve Borthwick’s side

George Ford will miss England’s tour matches with Japan and New Zealand, leaving Marcus Smith and Fin Smith in a straight shootout to be Steve Borthwick’s No 10 this summer.

Ford has been in camp with England after his club side Sale were beaten by Bath in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

But Mail Sport understands the 31-year-old is suffering with an achilles injury which means he won’t be part of the England squad which will be confirmed on Monday.

Ford’s absence is a significant blow to national head coach Borthwick who is a big fan of the player given they worked together to win a Premiership title at Leicester in 2022.

After Owen Farrell stepped away from international rugby following last year’s World Cup, Ford’s experience in the playmaker position has become vital to Borthwick.

Ford has been in camp with England but will miss the matches with an achilles injury

The news is a major blow to Steve Borthwick, who has relied heavily on the player in his run as England coach

But England will have to do without him for their June 22 meeting with Japan – now coached by Eddie Jones – in Tokyo and two crunch Tests with the All Blacks on July 6 and 13 respectively.

It is understood Ford’s Achilles problem is on the opposite leg to the one to which he suffered a serious rupture in the 2022 Premiership final.

While Borthwick will be disappointed to be without Ford this summer, he does have plenty of fly-half cover in the exciting pairing of the two Smiths – Marcus and Fin.

Fin Smith has had an outstanding season with Northampton and was part of the Saints side which on Saturday claimed the Premiership title with a thrilling 25-21 final win over Bath at Twickenham. Fin Smith made his England debut in the Six Nations, coming off the bench for replacement cameos against Italy and Scotland.

Marcus Smith (left) and Fin Smith (right) will now battle it out to play No 10 in the matches

Marcus Smith of Harlequins has more experience than his namesake and has also had a good campaign despite his club not making the end-of-season play-offs.

Both Smiths will be included in Borthwick’s England squad when it is named on Monday and he faces a tough choice between the two over who will be his premier playmaker next month.

More to follow.