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

He was called upon from the bench to support the hosts close out a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side were beaten in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to their initial victory versus the Kiwis at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

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

"One kick struck the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood should we begin the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest played in difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately since three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field all game, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining for him.