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

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the home side close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a late penalty and drop-goal as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer tour against Argentina and the USA while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The 32-year-old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members within our side, particularly Ford," Borthwick told. "During that phase as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks meant the hosts returned to the locker room with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our plan and our philosophy the best way to perform is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - which team can handle in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his position.

England, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead for him.