Six Nations: England's Marcus Smith revels in excitement after drop goal seals win over Ireland - ‘I thought, why not?’

Marcus Smith pulled off a stunning drop goal for England in the dying seconds of their Six Nations match with Ireland on Saturday to grasp victory from the jaws of defeat.

England won 23-22 at Twickenham and the fly-half joined prestigious company - Jonny Wilkinson and George Ford - as the latest player to score a drop goal for England.

Smith’s heroics stunned the Irish to take the tournament to the final day, and speaking after the match, he revealed he had been working on his drop goals in the build-up to the game.

“I was pretty excited, to be honest,” he said. “We got an advantage in the wide channels after Manny [Feyi-Waboso] did a destructive run, like he did all game, and got us to within 10 metres.

“Then the forwards went in and exhausted them. We had another penalty advantage right in front and I have been practising my drop goals, learning off George [Ford] and Kev [Sinfield], and I thought, why not?”

Wilkinson’s effort in the 2003 World Cup final to snatch glory for England in the 100th minute against Australia is no doubt the most iconic moment of the three, while Ford’s strike helped England overcome Argentina in the World Cup in France.

Smith’s drop goal ended Ireland’s hopes of back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams, while also marking a special day for Danny Care, who came off the bench to make his 100th appearance in Tests and help England to victory.

“It was nice to get the ball off Danny on his special day,” Smith, who received the ball from Care’s pass before he struck it between the posts, said.

Smith, who was expected to cement his position as England’s No. 10 following an impressive World Cup campaign, missed the first three Six Nations games due to a calf injury.

“This was a tournament I was really excited for and it was an opportunity for the team to step forward off the back of the World Cup,” Smith said.

“Being ruled out before the first games was disappointing but watching the lads from home on the sofa got me excited again. I was desperate to get back for part of the Six Nations so I feel lucky and honoured.

“We didn't get the result we wanted against Scotland but this team will take a lot of pride and confidence from that performance. We challenged one of the best teams in the world through 80 minutes. It ebbed and flowed and it was a brilliant spectacle for the fans. I know the boys will be very happy with that one.

“The chat all week was to have the belief and the confidence in one another because we don't turn into a bad team overnight. Last week was a blip but if we keep our standards high and push each other, anything is possible. It's moments like this that give us hope and confidence moving forward.”

Second place England travel to France on the final weekend as they bid to win the tournament for the first time since 2020, while leaders Ireland entertain third place Scotland in a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 edition of the Six Nations.

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