The 18-year-old guided England to the final of the IRB Junior World Championship in June at stand-off where he was preferred to Saracens’ Premiership winning No.10 Owen Farrell. 

 

Just as he had done in the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam, Ford repaid the England selectors’ faith with some mature displays as well as bagging 51 points.

 

England though would ultimately fall at the final hurdle to New Zealand for the third time and the Baby Blacks have Sam Cane and Luke Whitelock also up for the award.

 

Previous winners of the award in its different guises include Gavin Henson, Luke McAllister and Lionel Beauxis but Ford was quick to deflect praise for his individual displays.

 

"It's a massive honour to be nominated for the award, especially when you consider that the likes of All Blacks regulars Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava are among previous winners,” said Ford, who will find out if he has won at the IRB Awards in Auckland on October 24.

 

"It was a massive team effort over there, though, and while we were gutted not to win the whole thing, we performed well throughout and can take a lot from the competition.
 

"I can't take too much credit for the nomination. We had a squad of 26 players who all played their part.
 

"Sam Cane and Luke Whitelock are both good players who I have massive respect for and they both deserve their nominations.
 

“A lot of our squad will be back next year ready to give it another go."