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What a difference a year makes.
12 months ago, george ford He was left to collect his thoughts as his drop slid wide of the goal post causing England to suffer another close defeat; This time, he was collecting garlands, glory and sponsorships to accompany a performance like England’s famous victory. all black,
Consider 2024’s Series of Troubles and Near Misses who banished a difficult english year – 10 wins on spins have been established steve borthwickFollowing this signature success the team emerged as a rising force in the international game.
For Ford, this was the first success on home soil against New Zealand; His career span of 11-and-a-half years and 104 caps underlines how rarely he comes up. It’s worth considering how his situation has changed after missing penalties and conceding goals Proved costly against the All Blacks last November,
Then, he appeared to be on his way out of the team – two weeks after that near-miss, he was an unused replacement in a defeat to the Springboks. By the start of the Six Nations, he was left out of the matchday squad altogether, as Marcus finn smith He was given a chance.
Three English fly-halves were in Australia Summer with the British and Irish LionsFord, arguably the best eligible player ever to be a Lion, was not one of them.
But after leading England most impressively in their concurrent trip to Argentina, Ford has rarely felt so central to the national team. “George is a fantastic player, an excellent leader and an even better person,” Borthwick said. “I have had the privilege of working with him for some time.
“I know you love to talk about 12 months ago and the ball hitting the post, but he came in 12 months ago and played really well, as he always does for England. When he puts on an England shirt, he’s a consistent performer. I’m happy for him and all the players, happy for them.”
This has been a November that has brought out the best of Ford.
Against Australia, when England’s attack was not working well on a bad day, he changed tactics to turn the tide with the kicking game and implemented it; Against New Zealand, he was still better at controlling the pace and field.
His two big moments had a strange feel to them as the screams of frustration quickly turned into a Twickenham roar – he might have had men off his outside for 50:22 of the second half, but the England supporters soon found the space at the back that Ford had long recognised, while a double drop into his pocket and subsequent flurry proved vital in keeping the home side firmly in touch at the interval.
There were some similarities to how he led England out of adversity against Argentina in Marseille at the start of the 2023 World Cup. “If you’ve got the skills of George Ford, in Test matches as tough as they are, it’s always a factor,” Borthwick said of the drop goal.
“Was it a special part of the plan? No. I trust 10 people to make decisions. I thought they made great decisions and executed them perfectly.”
Talk to anyone who has worked with Ford and they will emphasize how sharp his rugby mind is – just this week. His head coach predicted that one day he would take on the role himself – and an unselfishness that, perhaps, has worked against him.
Borthwick has explained how good a team man Ford was during his absence from the team during the Six Nations, explaining to the rest of the England squad that it is an example he hopes they will follow.
Over the course of her curious career, she has had to learn to be happy by adjusting to a different role, the mind, where she has often felt the second role is not necessarily nefarious. owen farrell,
After that Argentina win in Marseille, it looked as if he had confiscated the number 10 shirt, suspending his teammate, only for Farrell to take it back before the knockout rounds. Despite an excellent performance in England’s last-gasp win over the All Blacks, Eddie Jones later wrote that he felt he should have changed his midfield balance and removed Ford for the 2019 World Cup final.
Now no one can see Borthwick finishing Ford easily. The general perception has been that Finn Smith’s side will be running from No. 10 in two years’ time, but at the age of 32, Ford is playing the best rugby of his career. England’s past and present playmaker could also be one half of their future.