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During November 2024, English number 10 Ford looked disheartened during the match.

He was called upon off the sidelines to assist the home side close out a famous win against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist England to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players within our side, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, building a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England returned to the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

The two attempts happened within close succession as the fly-half who executed three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals with Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead for him.