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During November 2024, England fly-half Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to assist the home side close out a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead missed a late penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old did more than justify the coach's trust in starting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive three-pointers meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our guns and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into it and we knew should we begin the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we found ourselves on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

Each effort happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory against Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and appropriately because three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the English victory versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

But the biggest test theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated two years away before the World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.