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In November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support the hosts secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection versus New Zealand, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, building a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect in those moments occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford passed on the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

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

The English team, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.