Having produced a stunning performance against Argentina, England have captured the imagination of the public, and that’s partially down to the performance of George Ford, who reminded one rugby legend of a young Johnny Wilkinson.
With dazzling versatility and an innate ability to read the game, the Sale Sharks icon has become the staple of a Steve Borthwick side, determined to win the World Cup for the first time since 2003.
Arriving at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, with a point to prove, Ford scored three drop goals in a single half, en route to guiding his nation to a 27-10 victory.
And with his showing generating so much respect, a Gloucester star has come forward to compare him to one of the greatest of all time.
Is George Ford as good as Johnny Wilkinson?
In a sparkling career, James Daniel-Simpson represented England on ten separate occasions, giving him an insight into exactly what it takes to play for the badge. And in an exclusive interview with OLBG, he revealed that he was spellbound watching Ford, even going as far as to say he rates him as highly as Wilkinson.
He said: “That was an absolute masterclass by George Ford in terms of game mismanagement. That was the best performance by an England fly-half since Johnny Wilkinson in his pomp. What he did was adapt; he has such a good brain. Everyone says he basically runs training like Sexton does for Ireland.”
The 41-year-old continued: “He immediately adapted his performance to the conditions and the situation England found themselves in so early in the game. He changed everything, took the game by the scruff of the neck and literally bossed it. Keeping the scoreboard ticking over, his game management was outstanding. That was a world class masterpiece that he showed.
“England were getting a lot of flak in the build-up to the tournament, and understandably, that was a day to put a lot of things right. England will now be backing themselves to go a long way now in this tournament. The confidence this will have given them is enormous.”
England return to action on Sunday in an almighty clash against a side Borthwick previously managed — Japan.
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