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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to assist England complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, however missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist England to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to support England to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the manager commented. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal with those moments most effectively."

Each effort occurred within close succession as the fly-half who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so because three points are crucial at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left within him.