England's George Ford hit the post with a late penalty and then sent a drop-goal wide as the hosts let another lead slip to lose 24-22 to New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday in a rip-roaring start to the Autumn Internationals.

True, if George Ford’s last-gasp penalty attempt had not rebounded off the upright, or his dropped goal attempt moments later not sailed wide during a crazy finale, Steve Borthwick’s side would still have been celebrating a famous victory over the All Blacks.