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

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the home side complete a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet missed a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations yet multiple strong showings, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the hosts to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - who manages best during those situations most effectively."

Each effort came within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.