George Ford: How pilates and league past have fuelled England comeback

Ford thanks his rugby league roots in part for that ability. Growing up in a village outside Oldham, he had offers from Wigan, Warrington and Bradford to join their youth set-ups.

In the 13-man code, defences are more set, but there are more passages of play. In those teenage league games, there was a high premium on Ford spotting mismatches and plenty of practice for him to do so.

Years of repetition sharpens up the accuracy and streamlines the process.

At Test level there are only a couple of seconds amid the chaos for each decision to be made.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has taken a little longer to settle on Ford as his number one number 10.

Ford kicked all 27 points in England’s opening-game win over Argentina at the 2023 World Cup, but was a bit-part bench option by the time the knockout stages came round.

With Owen Farrell opting out of international duty at the following Six Nations, Ford started all five matches at 10.

Injury then gave Marcus Smith the chance to supplant Ford in the pecking order on the 2024 tour of New Zealand, before Fin Smith emerged in last year’s Six Nations.

But eight starts in the past nine Tests – Ford was rested for the autumn win over Fiji – represents his longest run as England’s starting fly-half in six years.

He is relishing the stage it has returned him to.

“When you’re in the Six Nations, you feel like you’re playing in a special tournament,” he said.

“Any opportunity you can get going to Murrayfield, Cardiff, Dublin – it is such a showpiece event.

“As a player, what an amazing thing to be a part of – and go and win and have that memory.

“That is why we work so hard in the week to try and do that.”

In the week, in the moment, in years past and in the Pilates studio. Ford is drawing strength from them all.