Ross William Ford has developed into one of the foremost hookers in the European game since joining Edinburgh from Border Reivers in 2007. This status was confirmed when he was called up to the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in summer 2009. Ford came off the bench in the third test victory in Johannesburg.
Quick, mobile and blessed with a powerful physique, Ford has had a phenomenal impact in the black and red since making his debut at Connacht in October 2007. He signed a two-year contract extension with the club in March 2011.
As Andy Robinson’s first signing, Ford scored Scottish Rugby’s Try of the Season when he finished off a thrilling move during Edinburgh’s memorable Heineken Cup win over Leicester Tigers in January 2008.
Ford won his first senior cap for Scotland when he was introduced as a replacement during the opening match of the 2004 Abbey Autumn Tests against Australia at Murrayfield and he scored a try during the famous win over Argentina in Buenos Aires in the summer of 2008.
It was over a year until he made his second appearance, reward for a solid season with the Border Reivers, when he came on as a replacement against Wales in the 2006 RBS 6 Nations. He was introduced from the bench again in the following match against England.
The Kelso High School former pupil captained Scotland under-16 and was a member of the 2002 Commonwealth Games Sevens squad in Manchester. He has also represented his country at under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels.
His under-19 honours included the 2002 IRB/FIRA world junior championship in Italy, when he played in all four of Scotland’s games as a flank forward, though he is now a hooker with Border Reivers.
He made his under-21 international debut in the 2004 match against Wales at Bridgend, and he played in the age group’s world championship that year and 2005. His 2005-2006 season was cut short by a knee injury in a Celtic League match against Glasgow in March.
Ross was named Border Reivers’ Player of the Year at the Scottish Rugby Awards Dinner in May 2006, a reflection of the fact that his endeavours are appreciated as much by his colleagues as by supporters.
Away from his Edinburgh duties, Ford has coached Kelso under 18s and still lives in his native Borders
