Six nations stats so far

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From Planet Rugby website



With all six teams now having played three games we can compare the Official Match Data gathered from the nine matches contested so far.

Championship leaders Wales have made, and missed, the most tackles but Scotland and England have the worst tackle completion stats at 91 percent compared to Ireland's 96 percent.

Indeed, the men in green have amazing defensive numbers having missed just 14 tackles in 240 minutes of rugby.

It terms of style of play, there is perhaps no more telling statistic than the 'passes completed': Scotland have pass the ball 704 times compared to Wales, who are next with 489, or England, who passed the least with 382.

England do however have the best kicking numbers with a strike rate of 80 percent thanks to Owen Farrell's accurate boot, unlike Italy who have missed exactly half their attempts at goal!

Scotland have also made the most line-breaks and won the most possession in the opposition's 22, which will be terribly frustrating for coach Andy Robinson since they have also score the least points.

One area that Robinson will be happy with is the line-outs where Scotland have won 33 and have yet to lose one on their own throw in.

Wales have successfully mauled the ball just four times in three games while it seems to be a favourite tactic for the French, who have mauled it up no less than 15 times.

The French have looked to keep ball in hand the most, kicking just 51 times while England have put ball to boot the most.

England are the least dangerous team on attack by some distance having made just three line-breaks and scored just two tries in three matches. With games against the tournament's two best defensive teams - Ireland and France - left on the menu, Stuart Lancaster's men a have a lot of work to do.

Statistics after three rounds

Most tackles made: Wales - 371
Most tackles missed: Wales - 34
Most passes completed: Scotland - 704
Most line breaks: Scotland - 14
Most possession kicked: England - 81
Most turnovers won: Ireland - 16
Most offloads in tackle: Scotland - 38
Most errors made: Italy / Scotland - 36
Most penalties conceded: Wales - 32

Fewest tackles missed: Ireland - 14
Fewest errors made: Wales - 32
Fewest penalties conceded: France - 16

Most points scored: Ireland - 80
Most tries scored: Ireland - 9
Fewest tries conceded: Wales - 3

Most tries conceded: Italy - 10
Fewest tries scored: England - 2
Fewest points scored: Scotland - 36

Most points scored (player): Leigh Halfpenny (Wal) - 44
Most tries scored (player): Tommy Bowe (Ire) - 5

France 17 - 17 Ireland

Having had the worst line-out stats in the first two rounds, France turned the tables on their visitors, stealing three Irish line-outs.

But the stat the Irish will be ruing the most will be the 'penalties conceded' column where the gave away almost three-times as many as the French.

Of course les Bleus will point to the 0-from-2 drops goal attempts from Lionel Beauxis....just one would have been enough for victory.

Possession:
France: 50%
Ireland: 50%

Territory:
France: 56%
Ireland: 44%

Penalties conceded:
France: 4
Ireland: 11

Passes completed:
France: 155
Ireland: 113

Line breaks:
France: 2
Ireland: 2

Ruck and drive v Ruck and pass:
France: 41 - 46
Ireland: 32 - 36

Scrums lost - Line-outs lost:
France: 0 - 0
Ireland: 0 - 3

Ball won in open play - in opposition 22 - in set pieces - in turnovers:
France: 93 - 16 - 32 - 1
Ireland: 69 - 22 - 12 - 4

Possession kicked - Kicks to touch - Percentage kicks
France: 17 - 2 - 32%
Ireland: 18 - 3 - 42%

Tackles made - tackles missed - tackle completion
France: 80 - 4 - 95%
Ireland: 112 - 4 - 96%

Total errors made - errors from kicks:
France: 6 - 2
Ireland: 9 - 1

When you post negatively comments the vast majority of them are about Wales.

You come accross as a more elequent Hersh

Because nobody from Ireland was claiming to have the best defense in the tournament based on the number of tries conceded.

Nobody in France was doing the same similarly.

I'm not anti-Welsh! I just HAPPENED to be responding to a Welsh poster.

Whether or not it matters if legitimate tries are NOT awarded is only an issue if you believe that a SIMILAR number of legitimate tries will be disallowed in the future. So it DOES matter if what you are trying to do is predict an outcome based on the stats you have.

Probably to be fair we seem to see a lot of "tries" like the Strettle one. So the chance of this happening again is slim and the Welsh defense did a good job of (a) holding him up (b) obscuring the cameras

The Hogg try sceanrio is very rare by today's standards, so I'd be inclined to defensively look into that one and be alarmed that Scotland (worst try scorers statistically) managed to cross the line twice in such a short time.

miteyironpaw wrote:Dreamer, thanks for your amateur analysis. But trust me, I'm here in this thread merely to defend the world of reason and logic from invalid assumptions drawn carelessly from misleading statistics. It's a community service, and free. So feel free to ignore it, but please I don't need to be accused of being "anti-Welsh" for expressing an opinion on a point of logic.

Not sure what's misleading from a statistic saying Wales have conceded 3 tries when we've conceded 3 tries.

Misleading might be to say Wales have conceded more than 3 tries when we've only conceded 3 tries - or to draw the conclusion that Wales have an impregnable defence from these statistics.

Not sure how using a sliding scale of criteria to analyse situations can be see as defending logic and reason - especially as analysing cold hard statistics is the basis of logic - even if it ignores the hows, whys and wherefores which are the basis of a complete analysis of a situation

miteyironpaw wrote:Because nobody from Ireland was claiming to have the best defense in the tournament based on the number of tries conceded.

Nobody in France was doing the same similarly.

I'm not anti-Welsh! I just HAPPENED to be responding to a Welsh poster.

Whether or not it matters if legitimate tries are NOT awarded is only an issue if you believe that a SIMILAR number of legitimate tries will be disallowed in the future. So it DOES matter if what you are trying to do is predict an outcome based on the stats you have.

Probably to be fair we seem to see a lot of "tries" like the Strettle one. So the chance of this happening again is slim and the Welsh defense did a good job of (a) holding him up (b) obscuring the cameras

The Hogg try sceanrio is very rare by today's standards, so I'd be inclined to defensively look into that one and be alarmed that Scotland (worst try scorers statistically) managed to cross the line twice in such a short time.

But people were posting on stats from the whole 6Nations - as such if you change the incidents you include for one team - you'd need to consistently change it for all the teams to get a representative view of the whole championship to then claim that Wales don't have the best defence. so for example you are saying that Wales doesn't have the best defence because of 2 disallowed tries, as they are the result of 2 breaches of the Welsh defence. So you'll then need to go through all the other games of all nations to see how many breaches of defences there have been for all the other nations to back up your claim that Wales have the worse (they well may have, but as no-ones presented comprehensive stats on defence breaches we don't know, we just know tries conceded which is 3).

No I don't.

Sorry I've been away from this, but, mitey; you were the one who claimed we should look at 'linebreaches' in order to determine how good or bad our defence was. Yet a few posts later, you dismiss the use of stats? Clarkson moment again? I am still waiting for some of those stats btw. Until then, the fact remains. Wales have the joint best defence in the competition. Three tries conceded, fact. Substantial fact.

miteyironpaw wrote:No I don't.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have our WUM

you were the one who claimed we should look at 'linebreaches' in order to determine how good or bad our...

No I didn't! Where did I say that?

p.s. I've popped over to the Welsh Appreciation thread and posted some new compliments which will hopefull set at rest any person who feels I might be anti-Welsh.

Because you were telling us to base our defence on linebreach stats, then said you don't rely on stats.

Well this thread went pish very quickly.

Hopefully England will do better Six nations then there will be less new posters appearing having a pop at Nations who are doing well ....

I love Mightey,

The more he goes on and on about us the more he convinces me he would love to be welsh!!!



There you go mate, you are now officially honoroury Welsh, like North and Cuthbert, which entitles you to splendour in our Championship and possible GS win, but not to our Sheep!!!

You shall be known from now on as Miteybutt!

Billy - aye, so it did

how abouts we don't focus on try stats then since it seems to irritate a poster so much.

How about tackle stats?

Depending on the different websites you look at, Faletau's individual tackles made stats are incredible. Crazy to think the guys is still so young as he is, and has yet to fully develop. He is a tackling machine

I think Faletau would suit playing at flanker more than at 8. He just hasn't got that go forward power that an 8 should have IMO. However, his defensive stats just can't be ignored. That is incredible.

When i look at the line break stats from Scotland it honestly amazes me that they have not scored more try's.

Rory - you think that, but accoring to most stat sites, he's run more metres than any other Welsh forward, so he must be doing the carries somewhere! Also when you consider he's still growing, he's plenty of time to fill out as a more powerful no 8.

Billy - crazy isn't it, but when you factor in the chances against England that they failed to put away, guess you can see why. Must be so frustrating to see them get so close and not convert the chances though!

They need more support players and finishers. Need to develop an off-loading game.

I remember Scotland had a 15 minute burst in the match at Cardiff billy, during this period we seemed to be falling off tackles. It lead to them making their way to our 22 and scoring a try. That try though as mitey may put it was breached through the forwards/around the fringes.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I think Faletau would suit playing at flanker more than at 8. He just hasn't got that go forward power that an 8 should have IMO. However, his defensive stats just can't be ignored. That is incredible.

You haven't seen enough of him then mate...!

He is an amazing ball carrier, as quick as the centres great hands too. Hopefully we will see some of those skills on the weekend.

They were offloading pretty convincingly to me. I thought that was the most eye-opening part of their game, their easy, non-fussy offloading.

You just know that Scotland are going to convert these chances against Ireland on Saturday dont you

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I think Faletau would suit playing at flanker more than at 8. He just hasn't got that go forward power that an 8 should have IMO. However, his defensive stats just can't be ignored. That is incredible.

He's a very good 8 for the Dragons. Always picking up from base of the scrum and chraging forward. Ran 40 meteres from our own try line before and setup a try - class mun. class

thebluesmancometh wrote:I love Mightey,

The more he goes on and on about us the more he convinces me he would love to be welsh!!!



There you go mate, you are now officially honoroury Welsh, like North and Cuthbert, which entitles you to splendour in our Championship and possible GS win, but not to our Sheep!!!

You shall be known from now on as Miteybutt!

Really? Awesome

So, the stats clearly show we have the tightest defense and the most lethal attack (except Ireland, who can't win now). Can anyone stop us?



I didn't think so.

Balchder ydy eiddo!, o leiaf yn ôl google chyfieitha!

Faletau is a monster of a player. I always say that its the sign of a good player when people hear (look back and see) just how much work they have done.
He just does things properly without attracting any attention, least of all from a ref and that in his position is like gold.

maestegmafia wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I think Faletau would suit playing at flanker more than at 8. He just hasn't got that go forward power that an 8 should have IMO. However, his defensive stats just can't be ignored. That is incredible.

You haven't seen enough of him then mate...!

He is an amazing ball carrier, as quick as the centres great hands too. Hopefully we will see some of those skills on the weekend.

I've seen plenty of him, don't you worry

He is a huge talent, and for the Dragons in particular he looks a lot better with ball in hand. However against some of the biggest 8s in the world I feel he will struggle with the physicality. He has been knocked back a few times now. He seems to be more dynamic, better with space than making the hard yards. I think he would suit playing flanker more, and correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't he initially a flanker to begin with before moving to 8?

Nice translator cut and paste miteybutt!

eirebilly wrote:Faletau is a monster of a player. I always say that its the sign of a good player when people hear (look back and see) just how much work they have done.
He just does things properly without attracting any attention, least of all from a ref and that in his position is like gold.

Yep, he is like the Rennie of Scotland, you don't notice how much workload they carry until you look at the match stats. Oops sorry I said stats.

the forbidden word Biltong

I thought Scotland had the most offloads made in the tournament so far as well though?

That is something more reminiscent of a flanker though would you not say? Someone who gets through a ton of work, unnoticed, and is a fantastic support player/link-man?

Biltong, you wouldn't be baiting after weilding the red pen on the subject would you?

RD, perhaps we should call it factual analysis hence forth. It does sound more accurate as well as more official.

ha, why I would have to agree with that Biltong

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That is something more reminiscent of a flanker though would you not say? Someone who gets through a ton of work, unnoticed, and is a fantastic support player/link-man?

Well you could argue Juan Smith falls in the same category, he does a huge amount of work, has those killer runs and yet he often goes unnoticed.

Well you kind of notice Rennie when he spurns try scoring opportunities for fun

Englands habit of kicking away possesion had better change by Sunday as well or they could very well be in trouble.

I'll rephrase what I mean about Scotland and their off-loading game - the support is not effective, and they do not finish their opportunities. For NZ, the support players are numbered 1-15. Players like SBW I think look better than they are, because there is always someone in support. They can off-load all day long; there will always be someone there to provide some continuity, and to finish the job. Off-loading is all well and good, but the support play is what really makes it pay off.

But, but, but

miteyironpaw wrote:Biltong, you wouldn't be baiting after weilding the red pen on the subject would you?

Mitey there is a distinct difference between humorous teasing and blatant enticement.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I'll rephrase what I mean about Scotland and their off-loading game - the support is not effective, and they do not finish their opportunities. For NZ, the support players are numbered 1-15. Players like SBW I think look better than they are, because there is always someone in support. They can off-load all day long; there will always be someone there to provide some continuity, and to finish the job. Off-loading is all well and good, but the support play is what really makes it pay off.

Equally it's about playing as a team, rather than individuals. A great break into space, running away from support isn't always a classy thing to do. SBW acts as a line breaking link, he has the vision of the whole play, and how breaking the line can put someone else into space with an off-load. It's not break + support, or offload + support, it's the whole vision.

biltongbek wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:That is something more reminiscent of a flanker though would you not say? Someone who gets through a ton of work, unnoticed, and is a fantastic support player/link-man?

Well you could argue Juan Smith falls in the same category, he does a huge amount of work, has those killer runs and yet he often goes unnoticed.

Yeah but Juan Smith is a flanker, and a flipping good one at that! Which reminds me biltong, i've been meaning to ask what you think the SA back row is going to look like over the next few years? Who is in contention? Will Spies still start at 8?

Burger, Smith, Brussouw, Spies, Alberts, Vermeulen, Kankowski.. you have a lot of options there.

biltongbek wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Biltong, you wouldn't be baiting after weilding the red pen on the subject would you?

Mitey there is a distinct difference between humorous teasing and blatant enticement.

I know. When I do it it's called blatant enticement. When you do it with a [MODERATOR] stamp, it's called humourous teasing.

Rory the biggest unknown at the moment is how Heyneke Meyer sees the springbok going forward.

We currently have the following players in their specific position, remember we switch 6 for 7.

6. Heinrich Brussow - true fetcher
6. Burger - really playing like a 7.
6. Jean Deysel - really playing like a 7.
6. Derrick Minnie - on fire for the Lions and a true 6
7. Juan Smith - the real McCoy
7. Joshua Strauss - the successor for Smith
7. Duane Vermeulen - interchangeble between 7 and 8
7. Jacques Potgieter - having a very good start for the bulls this season
8. Willem Alberts - Best 8 in my opinion
8. Ashley Johnson - for me a 7
8. Ryan Kankowski
8. Pierre Spies - I believe he should be a center, he is too upright in tight exchanges and needs space to be at his best, he could easily play the SBW role in our back line.

If Heyeneke Meyer is like every previous ]springbok coach who was affiliated to a Fracnhise previously you can bet your bottom dollar Spies will still be there, and he would use Brussow sparingly.

miteyironpaw wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

miteyironpaw wrote:Biltong, you wouldn't be baiting after weilding the red pen on the subject would you?

Mitey there is a distinct difference between humorous teasing and blatant enticement.

I know. When I do it it's called blatant enticement. When you do it with a [MODERATOR] stamp, it's called humourous teasing.

Mate, I have been teasing since I got here, not for the past two days.

Blimey biltong - that is some crazy strength in depth. In your own opinion, who would you pick at 6, 7 and 8 then? And then on the bench at 19?

Crazy to think someone like Burger, Smith or Brussow could miss out starting for the team.

difficult to say, but if a gun is put to my head I would say
6. Brussow
7. Juan smith - if he fully recovers from his achilles injury that has been plaguing him for almost a year now
8. willem alberts.

Then have burger on in the last 20.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Blimey biltong - that is some crazy strength in depth. In your own opinion, who would you pick at 6, 7 and 8 then? And then on the bench at 19?

Crazy to think someone like Burger, Smith or Brussow could miss out starting for the team.

But they can only name 3 in the starting team, and as the world cup shows, they can still be bested by a guy playing solo in a team with no depth, like Pocock.

miteyironpaw wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Blimey biltong - that is some crazy strength in depth. In your own opinion, who would you pick at 6, 7 and 8 then? And then on the bench at 19?

Crazy to think someone like Burger, Smith or Brussow could miss out starting for the team.

But they can only name 3 in the starting team, and as the world cup shows, they can still be bested by a guy playing solo in a team with no depth, like Pocock.

you need to remember though, Australia had 4 back rowers on the pitch, Lawrence was there to keep lookout for australia.

biltongbek wrote:difficult to say, but if a gun is put to my head I would say
6. Brussow
7. Juan smith - if he fully recovers from his achilles injury that has been plaguing him for almost a year now
8. willem alberts.

Then have burger on in the last 20.

That's a mighty back three mate...!

SecretFly wrote:They either 'do' or the 'don't'... I would have thought.

Not really, for instance the condition of the ground in Englands first two games was pretty bad which was always going to mean more kicking than running.

nathan wrote:

SecretFly wrote:They either 'do' or the 'don't'... I would have thought.

Not really, for instance the condition of the ground in Englands first two games was pretty bad which was always going to mean more kicking than running.

Yes, but then there are always extraneous conditions that will take away from the merit of using stats to prove a point. And if you can't use a stat to prove a point without arguments being put forward to the contrary, well then that kinda means stats by definition are meaningless.

They either mean something by being faultless or mean nothing by being eternally fallible.