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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to help England close out an historic victory against New Zealand, but instead missed a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments superiorly."

Each effort occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in England's win over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left in him.