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

He was called upon as a substitute to support the home side secure an historic victory against New Zealand, however was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

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

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments the best."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

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

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and correctly so because three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic high spiral kick further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith against Fiji the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left within him.