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England player ratings vs Scotland | 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations
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Welsh great disagrees with Jonny Wilkinson over failed Ford drop goal
By Josh Raisey
Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has said he “can’t challenge” George Ford’s decision to attempt the drop goal that was charged down in England’s 31-20 defeat to Scotland in the Guinness Six Nations.
Ford attempted a drop goal after 53 minutes with England trailing 24-13 and a man down at Murrayfield, but saw it charged down by Matt Fagerson, who gave the ball to Huw Jones to run in a try unopposed from 50 metres out.
The failed drop goal was ultimately the defining moment of the match, as a potential 24-16 deficit, with England dominating territory and possession at that point, turned into an unassailable 31-13 mountain to climb.
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Speaking after the match on ITV, Wilkinson, who has a record 36 drop goals in Test rugby, said it was “great game management” had the ball gone over the sticks, albeit he did suggest Ford could have stood deeper.
However, former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, who was also part of the punditry team, disagreed and questioned the decision-making by England’s fly-half.
“Do you know what? I can’t challenge that,” the World Cup winner said.
“If that goes over, we’re talking great game management. We’ve all had them charged down. You have them charged down, you panic, you recover it. Sometimes it’s where the charge down bounces, right into the path of the runner, sits up into his hands, and that’s how it happens.
“In terms of time, George can look at that, he might want to go a bit deeper. In terms of the decision, sometimes it turns out that way. But it’s a swing there, a potential three points or seven the other way.
“Scotland just looked like they kept coming stronger and stronger from that moment on.”
The Welsh centurion responded by saying: “I actually slightly disagree. I actually think that England had enough momentum 10 metres out from the line to keep playing it. And if they buy a penalty, then maybe that’s different – take the three points. I actually thought there was enough in that England attack to keep going, keep going. As it turns out, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“I just think there were two, three, four phases to buy a penalty and twist their arm and be a bit more adventurous.”
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