With just one round of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations to play, the race to be named the Championship’s top try scorer is in its final stretch.
Last year saw a three-way tie at the top, with James Lowe, Damian Penaud, and Gabin Villiere all dotting down three times each.
Both Lowe and Penaud are in contention for the crown once again, but they will have to surpass last year’s totals in order to remain on the throne.
Here’s who to keep your eye on Super Saturday.
Huw Jones – 4
The accolade of top try scorer has been in Scottish hands just twice before, and Huw Jones would be in good company alongside Stuart Hogg and Duhan van der Merwe should he come out on top come Saturday evening.
Jones is currently on his own out front with four tries and will have his sights set on finishing the Championship that way with a strong showing against Italy, who have conceded the most tries so far this term.
The centre opened his account just 14 minutes into the 2023 Championship against England before going over twice in a losing effort against France.
Scotland will be keen to return to winning ways and Jones will be keen to help them do that with a try or two of his own.
Damian Penaud – 3
Damian Penaud’s excellent finish of a stunning move for France’s seventh try was a perfect reminder of just how deadly the winger is.
Much of the attention on this French side have been elsewhere, with Thibaud Flament taking plenty of plaudits for his magnificent display at Twickenham, but Penaud has quietly gone about his business to notch three tries this Championship.
Penaud now has 24 tries in just 41 Tests and became France’s top try scorer in the Championship with his 11th and 12th efforts last weekend, moving past Vincent Clerc.
The 26-year-old will look to extend that record against Wales on Saturday and will hope he does not become stuck on unlucky 13 as he will need at least two tries to finish the outright top try scorer this year.
Thibaud Flament – 3
The only forward on the list, Thibaud Flament has enjoyed an outstanding Championship so far, and few would bet against him continuing his fine form with another try or two this weekend.
Flament was named Player of the Round after this sparkling display at Twickenham, where he scored twice to add to his earlier try against Italy in Round 1.
The second row first powered through several tackles to score France’s third try before showing fine footwork to run onto Romain Ntamack’s knock back and go over for his second.
The last forward to finish as top try scorer was compatriot Charles Ollivon in 2020, who also notched twice at Twickenham, and the pair will hope to once again be amongst the scorers against Wales as France chase successive Championships.
Mack Hansen – 3
The 2023 Championship has seen Mack Hansen solidify himself as Ireland’s first choice in the 14 jersey, and with good reason.
Hansen and James Lowe have formed one of world rugby’s deadliest combinations out wide – but the pair started just twice together in last year’s Championship, with Andrew Conway also in the frame.
Hansen still strikes fear in the heart of defenders any time he picks up the ball thanks to his pace, footwork, and devastating finishing ability, and it has helped him to three tries so far this year, scoring twice at crucial points against Italy before putting Ireland ahead against Scotland last weekend.
Hansen has popped up in big moments so far, and with the prospect of a Grand Slam looming against England on Saturday, the flyer may need to produce one or two more.
James Lowe – 3
The other half of the duo alongside Hansen, James Lowe is no less deadly.
The winger has also scored three tries so far this Championship, opening his account in Round 1 against Wales before a stunning finish against France.
A third came against Scotland when he snuck in the corner with the score at 8-7 to give Ireland a crucial bit of breathing room.
His performance last weekend was typical of what we have seen from Lowe all Championship, with the 30-year-old posting all-action displays with impressive work in defence and with the boot as well as flying with the ball in hand.
Much like Hansen, Lowe has produced at vital moments thus far, and he will look to so once more to seal a famous Grand Slam in Dublin on Saturday.
Thomas Ramos – 3
While the top try scorer crown is up for grabs, there is little doubt that Thomas Ramos will finish as top point-scorer.
The full-back has contributed 68 points across his opening four matches, 36 more than next best Finn Russell’s 32.
While many of those points have come from his trusty boot, 15 have come from tries of his own, with the 27-year-old proving he is just as dangerous with ball in hand as he is with boot on ball.
Before this year’s Championship, Ramos had scored just a single try for France in a World Cup warm-up match against Italy almost four years ago but he now heads into the final round of matches with a chance of finishing as both top try scorer and top point-scorer.
Ramos is just three points behind Marcus Smith’s top score of 71 points last term, and converting his own try would take him level with George Ford’s 75 from 2015.
And while it would take some doing to reach Jonny Wilkinson’s 89 points from 2001, or even compatriot Gerald Merceron’s 80 from 2002 – the top score in a single Championship from a Frenchman – after France’s display last week, count nothing out.
