Reviving the lost art of the drop goal

Paul Rees sees George Ford join an impressive list of players whose quick thinking has made the difference

GEORGE Ford resurrected not only England’s reputation against Argentina last weekend but also the drop goal, an antiquated art form in the age of five-point tries and bonus points. His three against the Pumas, all in the first half, were one short of the total in the 2019 tournament in Japan.
The drop goal has won World Cups. Joel Stransky’s extra-time effort at Ellis Park was the difference between South Africa and New Zealand in 1995 and, eight years later, also after the scores wer...

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