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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 hosts close out a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side lost in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players within our side, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to compete is," Ford explained.

"We worked 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.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and appropriately because three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.