FORMER England captain Lewis Moody believes George Ford is the missing link that Bath have been looking for – claiming he’s known the fly-half was destined for the top the moment he first saw him.

Ford switched from Leicester to the Rec this summer but his formative years were spent at Welford Road, and Moody, who made the same switch in 2010, had a front row seat to his talents.

Limited chances with the Tigers convinced Ford to join dad Mike at Bath this summer and he has flourished in his role as first-choice fly-half, thriving in his new-found responsibility – not least in the victory over Leicester earlier in the season.

Ford’s arrival has brought some much-needed continuity to the Bath side – last season Olly Barkley, Stephen Donald and Tom Heathcote all shared the role.

And Moody, who lives in Bradford on Avon, believes that Ford’s arrival has provided the stability not seen in the Bath No.10 shirt since South African Butch James left the club in 2011.

“I’ve always been impressed by George Ford. I remember when he came on the scene at Leicester and he was 16 and you knew already he was going to be a prolific talent,” said Moody, speaking at the 2013-14 LV= Cup launch at Sandy Park.

“His form for Bath has been exactly what Bath have needed, some consistency at that No.10 position. I don’t think they’ve had that since Butch James and I think he’s given them a really solid platform to operate on.

“And their forwards, in front of Ford, have been pivotal in turning things around this year, the way that they’ve been playing under Stuart Hooper’s tutelage.

“I also saw him play in the LV= Cup in 2011-12, he guided the Tigers to the title. They gave a young group of players the opportunity to go out and perform and they stuck with them all the way through the tournament.

“George Ford held his place over Toby Flood and I think when coaches put faith in those guys it gives them a sense of pride and collective lift to go out and perform.”

Bath kick off their LV= Cup campaign against Sale Sharks this weekend, looking for revenge for the Aviva Premiership defeat they suffered earlier in the season, although Ford sits the game out with Heathcote taking teh number 10 shirt.

He added: “Bath are enjoying a rotation policy as well at the minute, the guys know every couple of weeks when they’re going to be playing and when they’re not.

“And they will see this as a real opportunity to win some silverware – both Bruce Craig the owner and Mike Ford, who is doing a brilliant job as head coach.

“It’s a great chance for them to get on the silverware hunt and that’s been missing from the Rec in a good number of years, the last major [domestic] thing they won is back in 1996.

“Cipriani versus Ford will be an interesting battle to see who comes off better there and I think Ford is probably more consistent and methodical in his approach to fly-half play.”

Kyle Eastmond, Dave Attwood and Anthony Watson all return to the squad after training with England this week, Eastmond in the team and the other two on the bench.

Meanwhile, Bath prop Davey Wilson has been included in the England team for QBE International against Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday, although hooker Rob Webber, who stayed with the England camp, was not included in the matchday 23.

Bath: 1 Nathan Catt, 2 Ross Batty, 3 Anthony Perenise, 4 Dominic Day, 5 Ryan Caldwell, 6 Will Skuse, 7 Mat Gilbert, 8 Leroy Houston, 9 Martin Roberts, 10 Tom Heathcote, 11 Tom Biggs, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 13 Ollie Devoto, 14 Richard Lane, 15 Nick Abendanon (captain).

Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Nick Koster, 21, Chris Cook, 22, Matt Banahan, 23 Anthony Watson.

Be part of the rugby family at the LV=Cup Final at Sandy Park, Exeter on March 16th. Tickets now available ticketmaster.co.uk