Watch as George Ford produces two spectacular drop-goals in first half of Sale Sharks PREM clash against Bath Rugby - 'A masterclass!'
Updated 03/10/2025 at 22:21 GMT+1
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George Ford made two incredible drop-goals in the first half of Sale Sharks’ PREM match against Bath, with the second from 45 metres out. On a wet and windy night at Recreation Ground, the England fly-half showed his quality, nailing an attempt from 30 yards before producing once again just inside Bath's half. Sam Warburton said the second was "one of the best drop-goals of his career".
Ford rifles over ‘pinpoint’ drop-goal to give Sale slender lead
Video credit: TNT Sports
George Ford produced two spectacular drop-goals in the first half of Sale Sharks’ PREM match against Bath, with the second described by Sam Warburton as "one of the best drop-goals of his career".
The first came in the 20th minute as Ford rifled the ball between the posts from 30 yards out with very little room to work with, to reduce his side’s deficit to one point.
The second came just 14 minutes later as the fly-half collected the ball just inside the Bath half, composed himself for a moment, before nailing the drop-goal from 45 metres out.
The two attempts were particularly impressive given the wet and windy conditions at Recreation Ground on Friday night.
Speaking at half-time, former Wales captain Warburton said on TNT Sports: "For those who don’t remember the World Cup when he stepped up against Argentina and almost won the game single-handedly, he’s doing exactly the same with his drop-goal ability."
Ford famously kicked all 27 points in England’s 27-10 victory over Argentina in their opening match of the 2023 World Cup, with nine of those points coming from drop-goals.
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‘You are joking!’ – Watch as Ford nails incredible 45-metre drop-goal
Video credit: TNT Sports
Discussing the second attempt at the Rec, Warburton added: "Given the conditions, this is probably one of the best drop-goals of his career. That ball’s got to be horrible. It’s a whopping drop-goal."
Describing the effort on commentary, Alastair Eykyn said: "A masterclass of wet rugby from George Ford, taking chances when they’re on offer.
"No one else is thinking about that, only George Ford."
Former England international Austin Healey added: "That is incredible, isn't it?"
Eykyn described the first drop-goal as "pinpoint" and "very sharp", adding: "Not a lot of room to move, a snap decision and snap execution. High class."
Former England forward Ben Kay praised the ingenuity of Ford. "There's not a lot of 10s in the PREM that are thinking of that as an option," he said.
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The TNT Sports commentary team viewed the incredible pair of drop-goals as a timely reminder of what Ford can still offer at international level, having made his 100th Test appearance for England in the summer.
Eykyn said: "It’s important to remember that George Ford is 32. I think a lot of people have conversations around George Ford like he's somehow in the autumn of his career.
"I mean, if he stays fit, if he plays as long as Jimmy Gopperth, he's playing in another eight years."
Healy added: "I think on current form he’s definitely going to start the Autumn Internationals in the 10 shirt for England. I think Farrell might find himself on the bench."
Despite Ford's first-half heroics, Sale went on to lose 28-16 against reigning PREM champions Bath in their second match of the campaign.
Watch and stream the Gallagher PREM, Quilter Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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