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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to support England secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust in starting him versus New Zealand, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 win.

"Recognition should be offered to the experienced players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood should we begin the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts came within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and rightly so because three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that significant amounts of play remaining in him.