Throughout much of his tenure as England’s fly-half, George Ford has often faced skepticism, with many suggesting there were more suitable candidates for his position.

Having experienced similar pressures as a fly-half for Wales, I can appreciate Ford’s journey and couldn’t be happier for him. His display in Saturday’s victory over New Zealand was nothing short of exemplary, showcasing what every international fly-half strives to achieve.

Ford’s performance was a textbook example of how to command a Test match. As I watched, I found myself in awe of his skill. Over his 11-year career with England, Ford has navigated numerous challenges.

Frequently, critics have focused on his perceived shortcomings rather than his strengths, questioning his size and defensive capabilities. The ongoing narrative has often been that there are better options available for the role.

This sentiment has intensified recently with the emergence of playmaking talents like Fin and Marcus Smith, who have added to the competition.

George Ford’s performance in Saturday’s 33-19 win over New Zealand was a total masterclass in how to control a Test match. It was as close to perfect for a fly-half as you could wish to get

The narrative that there is a better No 10 than Ford has gained more traction in the last couple of years with the arrival of Fin and Marcus Smith on the scene as rival playmakers for England

Daily Mail Sport columnist Dan Biggar, who has played against Ford many a time for Wales, says: ‘You only have to spend a few minutes with Ford to realise how knowledgeable he is’

I understand the pressures Ford must have faced because I experienced similar critiques during my time with Welsh rugby. There was always an intense debate, suggesting that one of my competitors might have been a better choice.

I had it regularly over the years when I had to compete with guys like Stephen Jones, James Hook, Rhys Priestland and Gareth Anscombe. I’d even get told down the local Tesco the back-line moved better with those players in charge than me! It made buying a pint of milk an even more unpleasant experience let me tell you.

But Ford and I both have 100 caps for our respective nations, so we can’t have done that badly! I played against Ford so many times.

After Wales-England matches, we’d often have a chat over a quiet beer post-match. I really enjoyed his company. Ford is very unassuming and down to earth.

But you only have to spend a few minutes with him to realise how knowledgeable he is. Ford is a real rugby student. He understands the game inside out.

There is a reason he is being tipped as a future England coach and I wouldn’t bet against him doing that one day. Ford is an absolute expert in how to manage Test matches.

Now 32, he has been there, seen it and done it all. Ford is not a flash 10. But he does all the basics so well and his reading of the game is on another level.

You saw that against New Zealand with his two drop goals at the end of the first half and his 50:22 kick in the second. Ford brings so much confidence to this England team.

His reading of the game is on another level – seen by his two drop goals during the first half

Ford was overlooked for this year’s British and Irish Lions Tour – while Smith was called up

It’s huge for a side when everyone on the pitch knows the No 10 is going to make the right decision at the right time. That’s what Ford does. Against Australia, he carried out Steve Borthwick’s game plan to a tee and could easily have been named man of the match.

He was rested for Fiji with Fin Smith playing instead. I do feel for Fin Smith because he hasn’t done a lot wrong. But Ford is now in control of the England 10 shirt.

If you take in England’s summer tour of the Americas and this autumn, Ford has produced at least four world-class performances on the spin.

He’s at the top of his game and playing in a very, very good team. England didn’t just beat the All Blacks. They put them away convincingly and did so without arguably their best back in Tommy Freeman and a key forward in Ollie Chessum. They also left points out there.

That’s an incredibly good position for England to be in and worrying for their rivals because they’ll know they can still improve further. England are now 10 unbeaten thanks to their first home downing of the All Blacks since 2012. 

Last week, I nailed my colours to the mast by saying England would win. I didn’t expect them to do so as comfortably as they did, but I must admit I’m glad I was proved right! In my time playing in the Six Nations, Ford, Johnny Sexton and Finn Russell were the opposite numbers I went up against most.

All three guys were players you looked to disrupt. The reason for that is because they were so key to their team’s overall performance that if you got to them individually, you had a good chance of disrupting the entire side. Ford maybe hasn’t been seen in the same category as Sexton and Russell. But I think he should be. That’s how good he is and

England fans and the rugby world are now seeing just that. He seems to be getting better with age too. He’s in a great position to be the leading figure for England at the next World Cup in 2027. That would be his fourth global showpiece which takes some doing. 

Last autumn, he missed both a late penalty and drop goal which would have beaten New Zealand and many would have been sure that would have been the end for him with England

Many have tipped Ford to be the next England coach, including current boss Steve Borthwick

A lot of people have said Ford is one of the best ever not to win Lions selection. I’d go along with that. I thought he was unlucky not to go to New Zealand in 2017 at a time when England were flying. The Lions is often about timing. For whatever reason, it hasn’t worked out for Ford on that front so far. But if there was a tour tomorrow, it would be impossible to leave him out. The last year or so hasn’t been smooth sailing for Ford.

He’s often been left out of the 23 altogether with first Marcus Smith and then Fin Smith preferred. Last autumn, he missed both a late penalty and drop goal which would have beaten New Zealand. I’m sure many would have seen that as the end for him with England.

But it shows his resilience and strength of character that he’s come back and is now one of the first names on the team sheet. It’s about time he’s getting some credit because the recognition he’s got after his performance against the All Blacks is something his wonderful career deserves.

Evans’ late heroics paper over Wales’ struggles

I have teamed up with Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac to highlight Moments of Excellence on and off the pitch from this month’s Quilter Nations Series. As a former Wales No 10, I know all about the pressures of kicking goals to win matches for your country. Doing so comes with immense mental strain.

As a kicker, there is no hiding place. At the highest level, matches can be decided by those who use the tee. They can come down to the width of a post. Kick successfully and you’re the hero. Miss and you’re the villain. 

That’s why My Rémy Martin Moment Of Excellence for this weekend’s action was Jarrod Evans’ last-minute penalty to help Wales beat Japan. It was a hugely dramatic end to the game at Principality Stadium as Steve Tandy’s side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. If I’m honest, the better team lost. 

Japan deserved to win. Eddie Jones’ players will have been gutted to lose a game like that. Evans’ kick was a stand-out for me because he only entered the field in the 79th minute, replacing Dan Edwards when all looked lost for Wales. Then, just four minutes later and with the clock in the red, Evans had to step up and win the game for his country. 

Evans’ kick was a stand-out because he only entered the field in the 79th minute, replacing Dan Edwards when all looked lost for Wales – and managed to secure a last-gasp victory

Evans needs to take a lot of credit given Wales’ disappointing performance prior to his kick

As a kicker, that’s always an incredibly difficult position to be in. But that’s even more the case when you’ve only just come on because your muscles have only really just got going. Evans needs to take a lot of credit. But on the whole, Wales’ performance was very disappointing. What’s funny about Test rugby is that there were more Welsh positives in the defeat by Argentina than there were in the win over Japan. 

Unfortunately, the team display was a retrograde step, even if the victory was vitally important with the 2027 World Cup draw in mind. There are two incredibly tough games with New Zealand and South Africa to come now for Wales. They can’t win those matches. But for the scorelines to remain respectable, they will need to drastically improve their performance from this weekend.

Weary Australia wilt while Ireland rediscover their rhythm

Australia look very, very tired to me. After losing to both England and Italy, they were beaten comfortably by Ireland in Dublin. The Wallabies ran the Lions very close in their Test series in the summer, but they’ve run out of puff quite badly.

Joe Schmidt’s side have played a lot of matches and done some serious travelling through the Rugby Championship. Emotionally and physically, they look spent and I thought it showed against Ireland. I’m sure the Australian players will be counting down the days until they can get home to the beach! 

Things don’t get any easier for them mind with France in Paris to come this weekend. I thought Ireland looked much more like their old selves. There was a bit more swagger in their play and Sam Prendergast was excellent at No 10. Ireland against South Africa on Saturday is the game of the upcoming weekend.

Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac – an excellent gift this holiday season. Please Enjoy Responsibly.