2020 Six Nations Round-Up & Top Stats Performers: running metres, tackles, turnovers & more
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The 2020 Six Nations competition finally reached conclusion this weekend with the English emerging as champions (albeit only just).
Wales vs Scotland:
The final Round kicked off with the Welsh hosting the Scots at Parc y Scarlets. In a game Alun Wyn Jones’ men were expected to win, Scotland put together a brilliant performance to deny the men in red – the Scots’ first victory on Welsh soil since 2002.
The game marked an auspicious occasion for Jones as he became the most capped test match player of all time with 149. Unfortunately, the result would not add to the honour of his achievement.
The Welsh led by a single point at half-time in a game which was tightly contested for 80 minutes. Captain Stuart Hogg had the last say as he drilled the ball through the uprights for a final score of 14-10.
Italy vs England:
No surprises as England left Rome with 5 points in the bag after brushing the Italians aside 34-5. Ben Youngs had a blinder in his 100th cap, scoring a brace of tries.
Italy managed to come within 5 points of their opponents – after a brilliant try by number 8 Jake Polledri – but that was the best they would manage as Eddie Jones’ charges pulled away and never looked back.
France vs Ireland
Ireland travelled to France with the intention of claiming the 2020 Six Nations title but it was not to be as Les Bleus were in top form on their home turf – coming away with a 35-27 victory.
The Irish spent a significant amount of time in their opponents’ 22m area but could not seem to convert enough of their territory into points.
The French were clinical and determined in their approach and took opportunities when they presented themselves.
Top Stats Performers
Points scorers:
Romain Ntamack scored the most points in this year’s competition with 57, averaging 11.4 per game. The French stand-off was at his creative best in 2020, running in tries and slotting penalties and conversions at will.
Johnny Sexton and Dan Biggar of Ireland and Wales came in second and third respectively. Sexton managed a total of 51 points while Biggar was just behind him on 49.
Try scorers:
Somewhat surprisingly, the winner of this stat went to a forward. Robust French flanker Charles Ollivon finished the competition with 4 tries to his name.
Josh Adams, Justin Tipuric (Wales) and Romain Ntamack all managed 3 tries apiece.
Tacklers:
The South African-born French second-row duo of Paul Willemse and Bernard Le Roux outdid themselves on defence this year, each of them posting a total of 74, averaging 14.8 per game.
England’s Maro Itoje and Hamish Watson (Scotland) each put in 73 tackles over the course of the competition while Charles Ollivon completed 70 for the French.
Turnovers won:
This stat belongs to Italy’s workhorse loose-forward Jake Polledri, who turned over a total of 10 balls with an average of 2 per game.
Just behind Polledri were Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson (Scotland) and Maro Itoje with 9 each.
Defenders beaten
Nick Tompkins, the live-wire Welsh midfielder, managed to come out on top in this stat having beaten a total of 24 defenders, averaging 4.8 per game.
Jake Polledri, Adam Hastings and Stuart Hogg (Scotland) all managed 21 with an average of 4.2 per game.
Carries
Ireland’s vigorous number 8 CJ Stander tops the carries stat with a total of 75 and an impressive average of 15 per game. Stander, at his barnstorming best, is a tough man to bring down and was utilised well by Ireland when attacking the defensive lines.
French number 8 Gregory Alldritt also excelled in this section with 69 carries while Ireland’s second-row James Ryan pulled off 63.
Metres gained:
The Irish beast of a winger, Jacob Stockdale, finds himself in pole position as far as this stat is concerned, racking up an impressive total of 423m with an average of 84.6 per game.
Not surprisingly, Stuart Hogg also features around the top 384m while Italian fullback Jayden Hayward comes in at third spot with 270m.
