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Back in November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support England complete a famous win against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are fortunate to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who manages best with those moments the best."

Both kicks came within close succession while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals with Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately as three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

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

After beginning England's win against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining for him.