The statistics have been compiled and Ireland are wooden spooning one key area.
After three rounds of championship action, it makes senses to take stock and evaluate what the teams and players have been doing well. In other cases it is time for introspection and ripping up the old play-book.
As it stands, Ireland are currently in fifth place and out of the title running.
Their standing in the table is somewhat reflective of some key areas of the game – defenders beaten, offloads, lineout success and clean breaks.
Team standings
OFFLOADS
This is an area that frustrates Irish supporters immensely. Joe Schmidt insists his players are allowed the freedom to express themselves but there seems to be genuine fear there.
Was able to savour that Mike Ross offload in slow-mo without a slow motion replay.
— Ben Coles (@bencoles_) February 27, 2016
- France 45
- Italy 22
- Scotland 17
- England 10
- Wales 9
- Ireland 6
DEFENDERS BEATEN
Second fewest in the tournament to date. A good start against Wales has tapered off in the recent defeats to France and England. Defensive lines are set and Ireland are having trouble bursting through.
- France 54
- Wales 46
- England 45
- Italy 45
- Ireland 43
- Scotland 40
LINEOUT SUCCESS
This was an area that was ticking over well – not great – until Saturday at Twickenham. Ireland lost four of 11 lineouts against England, including three in the opposition 22.
- Wales 96%
- France 91%
- Italy 86%
- England 82%
- Ireland 79%
- Scotland 77%
CLEAN BREAKS
Interesting to see Wales so low down but both themselves and Ireland have been criticised for their one-dimensional natures.
- Scotland 18
- England 17
- Italy 15
- France 15
- Ireland 12
- Wales 11
TACKLES MADE
97 of these were registered in the first half at Twickenham. Ireland are hitting the front and then failing to kick on, forcing them to soak into an awful lot of tackles. Playing territory over possession often leads to a high tackle count.
- Ireland 497 (50)
- Wales 430 (49)
- England 402 (49)
- Scotland 361 (47)
- France 287 (36)
- Italy 278 (47)
Individual records
When it comes to the individuals, Conor Murray has made the most passes [243] of any player in the championship. Ireland have made 487 passes in total so it shows how Murray is central to everything Ireland do.
Ireland are the tournaments top tacklers on 497 so it is no surprise that two of their players feature in the top five individual tacklers – Jack McGrath [42] and Jami Heaslip [40].
CJ Stander has, statically speaking, been Ireland’s top performer. The Munster captain has achieved four turnovers so far – third overall – in the championship and has made 51 carries. Stander is only second in that regard to England’s Billy Vunipola.
Johnny Sexton is the tournament’s best kicker so far – the out-half has landed all nine of his kicks on goal.
