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George Ford will become just the eighth England Test centurion on Saturday as the Oldham-born playmaker leads his side out in Argentina.
From a precocious teenage fly-half tearing up as the 2011 World Junior Player of the Year to becoming a seasoned tactician guiding England through seismic highs and lows, Ford’s journey has been defined by clutch performances with composure under pressure.
Lions call-ups have eluded the two-time Premiership winner, but since breaking into the international team as a 21-year-old in 2014, 11 years on, the Sale Sharks 10 remains a fundamental part of English rugby - third in the all-time points scoring charts with 413.
Ford’s Test journey hasn’t always been smooth. He’s faced benchings, competition from Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith, and periods of selection exile. But through it all, he’s remained a great conductor – reading the game two phases ahead, making others look better, and stepping up when it matters most.
Mastermind in Melbourne – England v Australia, 2016
One of Ford’s most influential displays came in England’s 23–7 win over the Wallabies in Melbourne during the 2016 summer tour. Having been benched for the first Test in Brisbane, he returned at 10 alongside Farrell at 12 – a bold tactical move from Eddie Jones that paid off handsomely. Ford’s distribution was sublime, releasing runners into space and controlling territory with astute kicking. England secured a historic series win on Australian soil, and Ford’s combination of unselfish playmaking and tactical brainpower was key.
Calcutta Coup – England v Scotland, Six Nations 2017
England were 61–21 victors at Twickenham in one of the most commanding performances of the Jones era, and Ford was at the heart of it. The Ford-Farrell axis clicked beautifully, with Ford pulling Scotland’s defence apart time and again. His control, tempo and attacking instincts saw England secure back-to-back Six Nations titles. It was vintage Ford: eyes-up rugby, deft handling and clinical game management.
Semi-Final Showman – England v New Zealand, World Cup 2019
If England’s win over the All Blacks in Yokohama stands as one of their finest performances of the professional era, Ford’s display was its intellectual heart. Brought back into the No.10 shirt after Farrell had worn it against Australia in the quarter-final, Ford put on a tactical clinic. He kicked 12 points off the tee, but more importantly, he controlled territory with surgical precision. His line-speed management and constant communication allowed England’s forward pack to dominate without overplaying. The Kiwis couldn’t find a way through and it was a career-defining performance.
Drop Goal Drama – England v Argentina, World Cup 2023
The tone was set from the second minute. Ford, tasked with salvaging England’s campaign after Farrell’s suspension, delivered one of the great solo shows under pressure. His three drop goals in quick succession for a 14 man England following Tom Curry’s early red card stunned Argentina and steadied a team many had written off after a disastrous warm up to the showpiece tournament. Ford ended the night with 27 points – all of England’s haul in a crucial pool-stage victory. It was a moment of steel and vision that silenced the doubters.