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FORM XV
15 Romain Buros (Union Bordeaux-Bègles) 14 Damian Penaud (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)* 13 Nicholas Depoortere (Union Bordeaux-Bègles) 12 Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints) 11 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints)* 10 Matthieu Jalibert (Union Bordeaux-Bègles)* 9 Antoine Dupont (Toulouse) 1 Matis Perchaud (Bayonne) 2 Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse)* 3 Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors)* 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens)* 5 Thomas Ceyte (Bayonne) 6 James Chisholm (Harlequins) 7 Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints) 8 Caelan Doris (Leinster)* *Denotes players named in squads for the opening round of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations
How the team has been compiled*:
15 Romain Buros is one of just five players to gain 90+ metres per 80 minutes since the RWC (92), Buros is the only non-half back to average more than one line break assist per 80 in that period (1.1).
14 Damian Penaud has scored more tries in European club rugby than any other player since the Rugby World Cup (11), averaging one every 59 minutes, while he's averaged the most line breaks per 80 minutes (1.7).
13 Nicholas Depoortere has either made or assisted 14 line breaks (8 line breaks, 6 line break assists) since the Rugby World Cup. No centre has made more in European club rugby in that period (level with David Kriel).
12 Rory Hutchinson has averaged 2.3 metres in contact per carry in club rugby since the World Cup, the best rate of any Gallagher Premiership player in that period and the 5th most of any player overall (min. 50 carries).
11 Tommy Freeman has made 15 line breaks in European club rugby since the World Cup – more than any other player – while his 59 dominant carries are the second most of any back in that time (Benhard Janse van Rensburg - 63).
10 Matthieu Jalibert has averaged the most carries (17.1) and line break assists (1.3) of any back to feature for 400+ minutes in European club rugby since the World Cup.
9 Antoine Dupont has averaged the most try assists (1.3) and offloads (2.8) per 80 minutes of any player to feature for 400+ minutes in European club rugby since the Rugby World Cup. How much will France miss this man in 2024?
1 Matis Perchaud is the only player to hit 30+ attacking rucks per 80 minutes in European club rugby since the World Cup (32; min. 400 minutes).
2 Peato Mauvaka has scored a try every 77 minutes on average for Toulouse since the Rugby World Cup, one of just four players to average one every 80 minutes or better in European club rugby in that time.
3 Zander Fagerson has made 13.5 carries per 80 minutes for Glasgow Warriors since the World Cup, the most of any prop in European club rugby in that time (min.240 minutes played), gaining the most metres of any tighthead prop in the process (186).
4 Maro Itoje has won seven lineouts per 80 minutes on his own team's throw since the Rugby World Cup. Only Federico Ruzza (8.6) has won more in European club rugby in that period.
5 Thomas Ceyte has gained more metres (317) and made more line breaks (6) than any other lock in European club rugby since the Rugby World Cup.
6 James Chisholm has won 1.3 breakdown turnovers per 80 minutes in European club rugby since the RWC, more than any other player (min. 400 minutes).
7 Tom Pearson has made the most line breaks (6) and beaten the second most defenders (17) of any openside flanker in European club rugby since the Rugby World Cup and is one of just two opensides to hit 200+ rucks in that time (203, also Will Evans).
8 Caelan Doris has averaged the most dominant tackles (1.6) and defensive rucks hit (8.7) per 80 minutes of any Number 8 in European club rugby since the Rugby World Cup.
*Based on per 80 minute average scores from the ‘Opta Index’
**It also takes into account players ruled out from the opening stages of the Championship: namely the in-form Ollie Lawrence, who originally took his place at outside centre before injury ruled him out of the opening stages of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Of the 171 players to make as many carries at Ollie Lawrence (69) in European club rugby since the RWC, none have enjoyed as high a gainline success rate as the Bath centre (72%).
