🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the hosts secure an historic victory versus the All Blacks, yet failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

At 32 years old fully validated the coach's trust by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, especially George," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to include him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our guns and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations the best."

The two attempts occurred within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks in a win facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his international experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always advising me, and appropriately because three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford directed his team superbly throughout the match the complete contest, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space against the defensive line.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

After beginning the English victory versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the multiple World Cup winners, 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 if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.