🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist the hosts secure a famous win against New Zealand, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick along with a drop-kick as England lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid the coach's trust by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A kick hit the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks ensured England returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we must maintain to our plan and our convictions the superior method to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew should we begin the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we ended up on our own line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations superiorly."

Each effort happened within close succession as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals with Sale in a Prem game occurring during tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager since he continually in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win against Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season occurred versus the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

England, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.