In a league filled with powerful ball carriers and prolific try scorers, the importance of reliable goal-kicking can sometimes be overlooked. Yet throughout the Gallagher Premiership season, a pair of experienced playmakers have consistently demonstrated how valuable accuracy from the tee can be.
Sale Sharks fly-half George Ford and Exeter Chiefs playmaker Henry Slade enter Round 18 among the competition's most effective kickers. Their performances have helped drive their respective teams while highlighting the value of converting opportunities into points whenever they arise.
- More Information On Gallagher PREM Rugby
- What's Streaming On FloRugby? Take A Look At The Schedule
- Top 50 Rugby Union Prospects 2026: No. 10-1 | FloRugby Rankings
While both players have reached their numbers in different ways, they share an ability to deliver under pressure. Whether through season-long consistency or standout performances in recent weeks, Ford and Slade have become two of the league's most dependable weapons.
As the regular season reaches its final weekend, the statistics show why kicking accuracy remains one of the most influential skills in the modern game.
George Ford Leads A Clinical Sale Sharks Attack
Few teams have been more reliable from the kicking tee than Sale Sharks this season.
Sale enters Round 18 with the highest goal-kicking percentage in the Premiership at 79.5%. That level of efficiency has allowed the Sharks to maximize scoring opportunities and avoid leaving valuable points on the field.
Ford reinforced that reputation during Round 17, delivering a flawless performance by converting all six of his goal attempts. His six successful kicks and 100% success rate both ranked first in the Premiership for the round.
Perfect kicking displays are difficult to achieve at any level of rugby, making Ford's performance another example of the consistency that has defined Sale's season.
Henry Slade Continues To Set The Standard
While Ford starred in the latest round, no player has accumulated more successful goals this season than Henry Slade.
The Exeter Chiefs playmaker enters Round 18 with 60 successful goals, the highest total in the Premiership. He also maintained his excellent form in Round 17 by successfully converting six kicks, matching the best total in the competition.
Scoring points consistently over the course of an entire season requires both durability and precision. Slade has delivered both, helping Exeter remain competitive while continuing to rank among the league's most productive kickers.
His ability to turn penalties and conversions into points has provided a steady source of scoring throughout the campaign.
Exeter's Kicking Game Extends Beyond Slade
The Chiefs have not relied solely on Slade's accuracy.
Stephen Varney delivered one of the most influential kicking performances of Round 17, leading the Premiership with 24 kicks in play and 633 kick meters. Both figures ranked first among all players during the latest round.
Those numbers highlight Exeter's commitment to controlling territory through tactical kicking. While Slade converts opportunities into points, Varney's work helps create favorable field position and forces opponents to defend deep inside their own half.
Together, they form a partnership that has helped Exeter remain effective in one of rugby's most important tactical areas.
Why Kicking Still Wins Matches
Modern rugby places a premium on attacking creativity, but accurate kicking remains one of the fastest ways to influence results.
A missed conversion or penalty can dramatically change momentum, while a successful kick often rewards a team for sustained pressure. Over the course of a season, those moments accumulate into meaningful advantages.
Sale's league-leading 79.5% goal-kicking rate and Slade's Premiership-leading 60 successful goals illustrate just how important those opportunities can be. Teams that consistently capitalize on scoring chances often place themselves in stronger positions when matches become tight.
Ford and Slade have repeatedly provided that reliability for their clubs throughout the campaign.
Two Of The Premiership's Most Reliable Weapons
As Round 18 approaches, Ford and Slade stand out as two of the competition's premier kickers.
Ford's perfect Round 17 performance helped reinforce Sale's status as the league's most accurate kicking team. Slade continues to lead the Premiership in successful goals while remaining one of Exeter's most important contributors.
Add in Varney's territorial kicking game, and it becomes clear why both Sale and Exeter have found success through precision and execution.
In a sport where every point matters, few players have delivered more consistently than George Ford and Henry Slade this season.
PREM Rugby Round 18 Schedule
Saturday, June 6
- 10:15 a.m. ET: Bath Rugby vs. Leicester Tigers
- 10:15 a.m. ET: Exeter Chiefs vs. Saracens
- 10:15 a.m. ET: Gloucester Rugby vs. Newcastle Red Bulls
- 10:15 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Northampton Saints
- 10:15 a.m. ET: Sale Sharks vs. Bristol Bears
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby is also home to match archives and match replays.