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In November 2024, national team playmaker Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to help the hosts close out an historic victory against New Zealand, yet missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed after halftime to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, especially George," the coach stated. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand began rapidly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England entered the locker room with renewed energy.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts came within close succession as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and appropriately since three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph over Australia in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.