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In November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help the home side secure an historic victory against New Zealand, however failed to convert a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old fully validated the coach's trust through his selection against the All Blacks, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks commenced strongly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our guns and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and rightly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, currently enjoying 10 straight wins, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to learn if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.