sport news George Ford could miss the start of next season for new club Sale after ... trends now EXCLUSIVE: George Ford could miss the start of the Gallagher Premiership season for new club Sale after rupturing his achilles against Saracens last weekend as he faces long lay-off George Ford could face a long time in recovery after rupturing his achilles The 29-year-old fly-half will have surgery on the injury later this week Ford won the Gallagher Premiership title with Leicester Tigers last Saturday He could now miss the start of next season with his new club Sale Sharks By Chris Foy For Mailonline Published: 23:43 BST, 20 June 2022 | Updated: 23:43 BST, 20 June 2022 Viewcomments George Ford is in grave danger of missing the start of next season for new club Sale, after suffering a ruptured achilles during the Premiership Final last Saturday. The 29-year-old fly-half was not included in the England squad named by Eddie Jones for the summer tour of Australia, as one of 10 players deemed unavailable. But Leicester had not provided any details about the injury suffered by their out-going playmaker. George Ford could face a long time in recovery after rupturing his achilles last weekend Sportsmail has learned that Ford damaged his right achilles and now faces the prospect of a long lay-off. It is understood that he was due to have a scan on Monday and is poised to have surgery later this week. While the recovery time-frame is not yet known; that type of injury can require a rehabilitation period of several months. Ford was an outstanding mainstay of Leicester's Premiership title triumph, with imperious form as the Tigers were top of the table from the start of the campaign all the way to the end of it. Ford ruptured his achilles in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership Final win over Saracens The fly-half's start to his Sale Sharks career next season could now be delayed He was forced off in the 24th minute of the final, evidently in serious pain, after appearing to fall awkwardly when tackled, as he attempted to make an outside break on the left wing. His replacement, Freddie Burns, kicked the drop goal which sealed Leicester's 15-12 win over Saracens. Last November, Sale confirmed that they had signed Ford on a three-year contract, which will see the Oldham-born player return to his North West roots. The recruitment of one of the country's pre-eminent No 10s was regarded as a coup for the Cheshire club and they will now have to await updates on his injury, before deciding whether to line up another fly-half as temporary cover. The emergence of Marcus Smith led to Ford being left out of the England squad by head coach Eddie Jones last autumn, but his supreme exploits at club level led to a recall for the Six Nations after captain Owen Farrell was ruled out with an ankle injury. The 29-year-old will also miss England's tour of Australia after being left out by Eddie Jones Ford will be desperate to regain full fitness as soon as possible, to ignite Sale's title ambitions and enhance his own hopes of making the cut for next year's World Cup in France. World Rugby are implementing new and more stringent return-to-play protocols relating to head injuries, with players who have a history of concussion or who are removed from a match due to obvious concussion symptoms must not play again for at least 12 days - up from the current six. No player will be able to return earlier than the seventh day after injury occurs and can only do so if approval is received from an independent concussion consultant. The new guidelines will come into effect from July 1, just in time to apply to all the Tests taking place in the southern hemisphere next month. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility