Leicester boss Steve Borthwick hailed George Ford after the England fly-half steered Leicester to their first Premiership victory over Exeter in four years during a season-opening 34-19 win at Welford Road on Saturday.

Ford missed the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa and was not considered for England's pre-season internationals against the United States and Canada by Red Rose boss Eddie Jones in order to recover fully from a niggling calf problem.