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During November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to support the home side close out a famous win against New Zealand, however failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity at delivering glory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, especially George," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis started quickly during the match, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks ensured England entered the locker room with the momentum.

"The challenging thing at those times is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew should we begin the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - who can deal in those circumstances the best."

Both kicks happened within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a win facing the Argentine team in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and rightly so because three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

The English team, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of play remaining within him.