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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to support the home side complete an historic victory facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten in a close contest.

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

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post 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 honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers meant the hosts entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so since three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford guided England excellently around the field all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead for him.