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In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the hosts secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, however was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by two key players.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we knew should we begin the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments the best."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and rightly so as three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Having started England's win over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.

England, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead for him.