 He left his position with Ireland in September 2005.In May 2006 Ford became defence coach of England, part of the coaching team that guided England to the 2007 World Cup Final.With Ford as defence coach England conceded the fewest points in the 2009 Six Nations (70) and the fewest tries in the 2010 Six Nations (5), and the fewest tries in the pool stages of the 2011 World Cup.