1
The Breakdown: A statistical look at the fourth round of Six Nations matches
By Nicholas McGee
Wales enter the fourth round of the Six Nations in familiar territory as they prepare to face Scotland.
Warren Gatland's men are unbeaten after three matches and the only team left who can complete a Grand Slam.
It is a position they have never let slip since the competition became a six-team tournament, but England and Ireland will look to take advantage should they suffer defeat in Edinburgh.
History is firmly on England's side as they host perennial strugglers Italy, while Ireland welcome a France side on a miserable run of away from to Dublin.
With the help of Opta, we take a statistical look at the fourth round of matches.
Scotland v Wales
Scotland will be aiming to win consecutive home games against Wales in the Five/Six Nations for the first time since winning five in a row against them at Murrayfield between 1987 and 1995.
Wales have won 12 consecutive matches in all competitions, their longest winning run in Test history (W11, 1907-1910).
Wales are the only unbeaten side in this year's championship - only on three previous occasions in the Six Nations have they won their opening three games, going on to complete the Grand Slam on each occasion (2005, 2008, 2012).
Continue reading below...
Watch: Gregor Townsend previews Scotland v Wales
England v Italy
England have won all 19 of their clashes with Italy in the Six Nations and remain the only side the Azzurri are yet to taste victory against in the tournament.
The hosts have scored at least one try in each of their last 13 home games in the Six Nations. The last team to stop England crossing the whitewash at Twickenham in the tournament was Italy back in 2013, one of just two occasions that England have failed to score a try at home in the tournament since 2000 (also v Wales in 2012).
England's Owen Farrell needs just six points to reach 800 in his Test career (England & British and Irish Lions) - he would be the 14th player in history to reach that tally and the second Englishman after Jonny Wilkinson (1246).
Watch: Eddie Jones speaks to RugbyPass exclusively ahead of England's Six Nations game against Italy.
Ireland v France
Ireland have won four of their last five games against France in the Six Nations (L1), as many as they had won in their initial 14 meetings in the Championship since 2000 (D2, L8).
There were five tries scored the first time Ireland faced France under Joe Schmidt in the Six Nations, since then just four tries have been scored in the four matches between these sides, with Ireland crossing the try line just once and France three times.
France have lost nine of their last 11 away games in the Six Nations (W2), their only victories in that run coming against Italy (2015 & 2017)
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' weaknesses
3
All Blacks player ratings vs Italy
4
Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu admits anger at Australian rugby
5
Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
Go to comments