We almost saw another entry into the lucrative ‘forwards who have scored a drop goal’ group

IN THE MODERN game, it isn’t unusual for a forward to have a well-rounded set of skills similar to that of a back, but there is definitely still some novelty attached to seeing a member of the pack kick the ball.

There have been some instances of forwards excelling in that area – legendary Australian second row John Eales kicked 34 penalties and 31 conversions during his international career while former All Black Zinzan Brooke famously nailed a monster drop goal at the 1995 World Cup.

Source: rugbyworldcup/YouTube

And Keith Wood loved the occasional hack down field and sometimes he was very effective with the boot.

Source: Ruddy Darter/YouTube

We almost saw a repeat of Brooke’s World Cup heroics in the Aviva Premiership last weekend after Saracens second row Alistair Hargreaves sent a wobbler between the posts against London Irish.

Unfortunately for Hargreaves the referee had already blown his whistle, but you still have to salute his effort.

Source: Premiership Rugby/YouTube

Drop goals are one thing, but it definitely looks strange to see a 6 ft 7 international second row kicking off the tee.

Source: ihavenopantson/YouTube

‘It’s hard to tell between junior and senior guys’: Leinster’s next generation of back rows fitting right inWe could have heard the best one-liner in refereeing history in the Pro12 over the weekend