14 August 2023 , 07:33
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When George Ford entered the fray England had 15 men on the field and led Wales by six points.
There were 20-odd minutes to play and no sense either of the drama to come or the opportunity about to knock for the Sale fly-half.
Before he knew it England were down to 13 and behind on the scoreboard. He blinked again and Owen Farrell was gone, blowing a gaping hole in plans for the World Cup.
Ford has not started a Test for England since March 2021, when 22-time capped rival Marcus Smith had still to make his debut. But he knew what he had to do.
What followed was remarkable in that England came back to win with 12 men, snap a three-game losing streak and offer up a measure of consolation to offset the angst of the afternoon.
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Post-match debate still surrounded Farrell’s future and what appears a serious ankle injury to Jack van Poortvliet, but there was comfort from knowing Ford is back.
Wales forward Taine Basham feels full force of Farrell's shoulder (TOM SANDBERG/PPAUK/REX/Shutterstock)“George is a great thinker about the game,” purred Borthwick. “He studies and watches it a lot, always coming forward with ideas, thoughts and improvements.
“He came on and played really well. You’d expect that.”
Joe Marchant went further when asked how good it was to have Ford as a Plan B in the likely event Farrell heads to the World Cup under suspension.
Steve Borthwick has decisions to make over replacement captain and fly-half (Getty Images)“He’s going to be huge,” said the midfielder.
“He has been doing that in club and international rugby for a long time – steering the ship, keeping everything on the same page, sticking to the system.”
Ford’s reaction was typical of a player who has racked up 83 caps and started a World Cup final yet never escaped from the shadow of Farrell. Unassuming.
(Getty Images)"That’s Steve’s decision,” he said. “I’ve tried to take a bit of a lead and help as much as I can, but the team is the most important thing. It’s never about the individual.”
Borthwick loves all that. Ask him about the man he tasked to lead his Leicester team to Premiership glory in 2022 and his answer heaps equal praise on Farrell and Smith.
But given he is not about to change his pragmatic attack template at this late stage, there is every chance Ford will be the man to profit from Farrell’s absence.
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ENGLAND - Try: Itoje. Con: Ford. Pens: Farrell 3, Ford.
WALES - Tries: Penalty, T Williams. Con: Biggar. Pen: O Williams.