We are now past halfway in the NatWest 6 Nations and while Ireland lead the way with two games remaining, a number of statistical trends have emerged.
So while the teams prepare for the closing stretch of the Championship, we have taken a look at some of the most eye-catching numbers so far.
Download the NatWest 6 Nations app for up-to-date statistics from the Championship IMPORTANCE OF RUCKS One of the most intriguing statistics through three rounds comes in the rucks, where the raw numbers of rucks per team almost exactly reflects the table.
Way out in front in terms of total rucks are the Irish, with 412, with England next some 64 behind.
That should come as little surprise when watching the way the Irish have played, with both France and then Wales racking up the tackles in defence against Joe Schmidt’s team.
The numbers correlate almost exactly with the current standings – the only difference being Wales and France switching places due to the superior Welsh points difference. Total rucks after three rounds Ireland – 412 England – 348 Scotland – 284 France – 281 Wales – 272 Italy – 246 The impressive aspect from an Irish perspective is that not only have they had the most rucks, but they have also been the most efficient team at the breakdown. With a 98 percent success rate, they lead the way, ahead of Scotland and France, with England trailing in last, in large part due to the breakdown struggles in Edinburgh. Rucks lost after three rounds England – 17 Italy – 12 Wales – 11 France – 10 Scotland – 9 Ireland – 7 OFFLOADING PHILOSOPHY When Guy Novès took charge of France, there was a clear intent from Les Bleus to offload the ball and keep it alive as much as possible.
That has not been as obvious under Jacques Brunel, and yet against Italy, France were willing to pass out of the tackle on a regular basis, and they have more offloads than any other team in the Championship.
Wales follow just behind, while Scotland, despite being renowned for their daring, expansive game, are the team who have offloaded the least.
Offloads after three rounds France – 33 Wales – 29 England – 24 Ireland – 24 Italy – 23 Scotland – 16 In terms of individual players, France’s Yacouba Camara leads the way, having made a remarkable five offloads against Italy alone.
His total of six is matched by Keith Earls, while Rémy Grosso has managed four in just one appearance to date.
Most offloads after three rounds Yacouba Camara (France) – 6 Keith Earls (Ireland) – 6 Aaron Shingler (Wales) – 5 Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) – 5 Rémy Grosso (France) – 4 Gareth Anscombe (Wales) – 4 Wenceslas Lauret (France) – 4 Matteo Minozzi (Italy) – 4 Steff Evans (Wales) – 4 NEW STARS EMERGE While some categories are led by familiar faces – two-time Player of the Championship Stuart Hogg has made the most metres, while the tireless CJ Stander has the most carries.
However, a number of players making their Championship bows in 2018 have impressed, none more so than Sebastian Negri.
The Italy flanker is second only to Stander in terms of number of carries, while he trails another Irishman, and Championship newcomer, Bundee Aki, in terms of defenders beaten. Most carries after three games CJ Stander (Ireland) – 58 Sebastian Negri (Italy) – 43 Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 41 Jonny May (England) – 37 Dan Leavy (Ireland) – 36 Stuart Hogg (Scotland) – 36 Steff Evans (Wales) – 36 Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) – 36 Most defenders beaten after three rounds Bundee Aki (Ireland) – 12 Sebastian Negri (Italy) – 10 Anthony Watson (England) – 10 Huw Jones (Scotland) – 10 Teddy Thomas (France) – 9 Matteo Minozzi (Italy) – 9 Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) – 9 SET-PIECE SOLIDITY England might have been beaten for the first time in Scotland, but one thing that will be please Eddie Jones will be the quality of their set-piece.
The defending champions have lost possession just twice on their own ball so far this year, a pair of lineouts, the fewest of any team.
Italy and Wales have both lost a pair of scrums, while it is the Scots who have struggled the most in the lineout, losing six to date. Total set-piece (scrums and lineouts) lost after three rounds Scotland – 7 Italy – 7 France – 5 Ireland – 3 Wales – 3 England – 2
