Stat alert - player summaries from 6Ns: The front row

HEALTH WARNING: IF YOU DON'T LIKE STATS, THEN DO NOT READ ON

As promised, I've crunched thru the team/player statistics from espnscrum.com and compiled them for individual players this time (for team stats, pls go to previous thread: https://www.606v2.com/t26301-don-t-read-any-further-if-you-don-t-like-stats-6ns-team-summary). As noted before, any transcription or manipulation errors are mine and mine alone - if you spot one/some, I'd be grateful if you'd point them out and I will endeavour to correct my error(s). I've had to make some assumptions regarding players playing in more than one position throughout the championship and also regarding the treatment of bench players. For the sake of simplicity, I have put a player where I think they fit best - so, for example, Sean Lamont appeared 3 times in the centre for Scotland and twice on the wing, but he is an out&out winger to me, so he will appear among the other wingers for comparison purposes. For all players, I report total stats in the first row and averages in the second - for the computation of averages, if a player appeared from the bench, I have awarded 0.5 match time, whereas a player starting the match is always awarded 1 match time, regardless of whether they are substituted. I suspect that this will have some minor impact on averages, but hopefully not too much (and it made things a damn sight easier for me!). Most of my comments pertain to totals rather than averages.

Key: T/A = Tries/Try Assists, Pts = Points scored, K/P/R = Kick/Pass/Run, MR = Metres Run with ball, CB = Clean Breaks, DB = Defenders Beaten, OL = Offloads, TO = Turnovers, Tma/Tmi = Tackles made/missed, Lw/Ls =Lineouts won on throw/lineouts stolen on oppo throw, Pen = Penalties conceded, & Y/R = Yellow/Red cards

First up is the front row union, props and then hookers (apologies for not segregating props into looseheads and tightheads, but I do have to pretend to do some work occasionally!).

PROPS

Games	Name	T	A	Pts	K	P	R	MR	CB	DB	OL	TO	Tma	Tmi	Lw	Ls	Pen	Y	R
5	AJones	0	0	0	0	6	8	2	0	0	0	1	27	0	1	0	5	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	1.2	1.6	0.4	0	0	0	0.2	5.4	0	0.2	0	1	0	0
1	Attoub	0	0	0	0	1	6	13	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	1	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	1	6	13	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	0	1	0	0
3	Castrogiovanni	0	0	0	0	2	25	16	0	0	0	1	11	2	1	1	3	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.7	8.3	5.3	0	0	0	0.3	3.7	0.7	0.3	0.3	1	0	0
3.5	Cittadini	0	0	0	0	1	14	28	0	0	0	2	32	1	1	0	3	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.3	4	8	0	0	0	0.6	9.1	0.3	0.3	0	0.9	0	0
5	Cole	0	0	0	0	3	15	12	0	0	0	0	26	3	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.6	3	2.4	0	0	0	0	5.2	0.6	0	0	0.4	0	0
5	Corbisiero	0	0	0	0	1	17	26	0	4	0	1	38	2	0	0	3	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.2	3.4	5.2	0	0.8	0	0.2	7.6	0.4	0	0	0.6	0	0
2.5	Court	1	0	5	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	1	7	1	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0.4	0	2	0	0	0.4	0.4	0	0	0	0.4	2.8	0.4	0	0	0.8	0	0
4.5	Cross	0	0	0	0	2	21	25	0	1	0	0	18	0	0	0	5	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.4	4.7	5.6	0	0.2	0	0	4	0	0	0	1.1	0	0
3	Debaty	0	0	0	0	1	12	19	0	2	0	0	16	2	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.3	4	6.3	0	0.7	0	0	5.3	0.7	0	0	0.7	0	0
1	Gill	0	0	0	0	0	9	15	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	3	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	9	15	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	3	0	0
5	Healy	0	0	0	1	5	36	46	0	1	0	2	27	1	0	0	6	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0.2	1	7.2	9.2	0	0.2	0	0.4	5.4	0.2	0	0	1.2	0	0
4	Jacobsen	0	0	0	0	10	25	14	0	2	2	2	23	1	2	1	6	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2.5	6.25	3.5	0	0.5	0.5	0.5	5.75	0.25	0.5	0.25	1.5	0	0
1.5	James	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	1.3	0	0	0	0	0	0	3.3	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Jenkins	0	0	0	1	17	13	8	0	0	1	3	34	4	0	0	6	1	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0.25	4.25	3.25	2	0	0	0.25	0.75	8.5	1	0	0	1.5	0.25	0
1	Kalman	0	0	0	0	4	3	0	0	0	1	1	6	0	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	4	3	0	0	0	1	1	6	0	0	0	2	0	0
4	Lo Cicero	0	0	0	0	0	19	25	0	0	0	2	23	2	0	0	9	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	4.75	6.25	0	0	0	0.5	5.75	0.5	0	0	2.25	0	0
4	Mas	0	0	0	0	8	13	6	0	0	3	1	30	2	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2	3.25	1.5	0	0	0.75	0.25	7.5	0.5	0	0	0.5	0	0
2	Murray	0	0	0	0	1	5	1	0	0	0	0	10	0	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.5	2.5	0.5	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0
4.5	Poux	0	0	0	0	0	11	12	0	0	1	0	16	2	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	2.4	2.7	0	0	0.2	0	3.6	0.4	0	0	0.4	0	0
1	Rizzo	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	1	8	0	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	1	8	0	0	0	2	0	0
5	Ross	0	0	0	0	2	6	3	0	0	0	0	27	3	1	0	1	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.4	1.2	0.6	0	0	0	0	5.4	0.6	0.2	0	0.2	0	0
1	Staibano	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	5	1	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	5	1	0	0	0	0	0
2.5	Stevens	0	0	0	0	1	5	2	0	0	0	0	8	0	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.4	2	0.8	0	0	0	0	3.2	0	0	0	0.8	0	0
1	Welsh	0	0	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	6	2	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	1	2	1	0	0	0	0	6	2	0	0	0	0	0

So what can we read into all these numbers? Most passes were completed by Gethin Jenkins, not surprising given that he performs like an extra backrow link forward, and Chunk Jacobsen (symptomatic of Scotland's desire to keep the ball in play). Cian Healy, Martin Castrogiovanni and Chunk carried the most number of times, but the most metres were gained by Healy and Cittadini. Not suprisingly for the front row, no-one made any clean breaks, but Alex Corbisiero beat an impressive 4 defenders. Nicolas Mas and Chunk topped the offload charts, while Jenkins, Cittadini, Healy, Jacobsen and Lo Cicero shared tunrover conceded honours (naughty boys). Jenkins redeems himself with excellent tackles made stats, even if he also topped the tackles missed chart. Lo Cicero conceded the most penalties, perhaps surprising for an Italian scrummage that never seemed in trouble, with Healy, Jacobsen and Jenkins in second place. Makes sense that most of the names mentioned are loosies rather than tightheads, and perhaps slightly odd that my personal front row star of the 6Ns, Adam Jones, doesn't feature - quietly good at everything, no weaknesses, is my theory;)


HOOKERS

Games	Name	T	A	Pts	K	P	R	MR	CB	DB	OL	TO	Tma	Tmi	Lw	Ls	Pen	Y	R
2	Bennett	0	0	0	0	7	7	9	0	0	0	0	20	2	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	3.5	3.5	4.5	0	0	0	0	10	1	0	0	0	0	0
5	Best	2	0	10	1	6	28	43	1	3	3	4	29	3	0	0	3	0	0
#	Average	0.4	0	2	0.2	1.2	5.6	8.6	0.2	0.6	0.6	0.8	5.8	0.6	0	0	0.6	0	0
2	Cronin	0	0	0	0	1	3	11	1	2	0	0	7	1	0	0	1	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.5	1.5	5.5	0.5	1	0	0	3.5	0.5	0	0	0.5	0	0
2.5	d'Apice	0	0	0	0	1	9	21	0	2	1	2	8	1	0	1	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.4	3.6	8.4	0	0.8	0.4	0.8	3.2	0.4	0	0.4	0	0	0
5	Ford	0	0	0	0	6	48	77	2	2	1	7	38	6	0	0	3	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	1.2	9.6	15.4	0.4	0.4	0.2	1.4	7.6	1.2	0	0	0.6	0	0
4	Ghiraldini	0	0	0	0	10	18	49	0	2	2	2	39	2	0	1	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2.5	4.5	12.25	0	0.5	0.5	0.5	9.75	0.5	0	0.25	0	0	0
5	Hartley	0	0	0	1	9	15	10	0	2	3	2	42	7	0	0	3	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0.2	1.8	3	2	0	0.4	0.6	0.4	8.4	1.4	0	0	0.6	0	0
1.5	Lawson	0	0	0	0	5	4	0	0	0	1	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	3.3	2.7	0	0	0	0.7	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	Mears	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	Ongaro	0	0	0	0	0	6	13	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0	6	13	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	0
2.5	Owens	0	0	0	0	6	14	13	0	1	0	0	19	2	0	0	2	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2.4	5.6	5.2	0	0.4	0	0	7.6	0.8	0	0	0.8	0	0
2	Rees	0	0	0	0	4	16	3	0	1	1	1	5	0	0	0	1	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2	8	1.5	0	0.5	0.5	0.5	2.5	0	0	0	0.5	0	0
3.5	Servat	0	0	0	0	8	21	46	1	1	3	0	23	2	0	0	0	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2.3	6	13.1	0.3	0.3	0.9	0	6.6	0.6	0	0	0	0	0
4	Szarzewski	0	0	0	0	9	24	51	0	1	2	6	31	3	0	0	5	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	2.25	6	12.75	0	0.25	0.5	1.5	7.75	0.75	0	0	1.25	0	0
3	Webber	0	0	0	0	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0	1	0	0
#	Average	0	0	0	0	0.7	0.7	0.33	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0.3	0	0

Among the hooking fraternity, mention must first go to Rory Best for his two tries. Most passes were made by Ghiraldini and Dylan Hartley, while Ross Ford dominated the runs stats with Best in a distant second. Unsurprisingly, Ford dominates the metres carried column on 77, with Szarzewski in second place some way behind. Hookers aren't expected to make clean breaks, but Ford managed that twice too, perhaps down to his backrow heritage. In terms of defenders beaten, honours were fairly evenly split between Best, Cronin, d'Apice, Ford, Ghiraldini and Hartley, with Best nd Hartley making the most offloads. Ford conceded an alarming 7 turnovers, wuth Szarzewski in second and Best in third. Tackle kings were Hartley, Ghiraldini and Ford, altho Hartley and Ford will be kicking themselves that they missed a fair few too. Best, Ford and Hartley sit on the naughty step for most penalties conceded. Unfortunately, the way that espnscrum display their players stats for lineouts illustrates catches rather than throwing, but we know from yesterday's team stats that Scotland, Italy and England shared top billing for lineout success with Ireland surprisingly in the rear.


Hope you find them interesting, even if they only tell a small part of the story. More positions to follow shortly

I don't really have anything to contribute, but I feel I should say good articles As.

Pleasantly surprised with Hartley's stats tbh - thought he was a bit toothless in the tackle area though. As for penalties conceded - he always did like a bit of a nibble (sorry, niggle) at the oppo.

So the only front rowers to score any tries were Ireland players (both Ulster, in fact). But what we'rr ememebr is them getting handed their derrieres by England. Pity.

I enjoyed reading that As, cheers

Barney McGrew did it wrote:Pleasantly surprised with Hartley's stats tbh - thought he was a bit toothless in the tackle area though. As for penalties conceded - he always did like a bit of a nibble (sorry, niggle) at the oppo.

Going on stats alone, I'd be taking Best, Ford and Hartley for Lions if they were selected today, but I've no doubt that the Welsh boys (Owens and Rees, in particular) will be looking to stake a claim

Don Alfonso wrote:So the only front rowers to score any tries were Ireland players (both Ulster, in fact). But what we'rr ememebr is them getting handed their derrieres by England. Pity.

Don, I think that's inevitable, most punters will remember the most recent games the clearest and discount the earlier games in the championship - classic narrow framing bias

What As said. Or, you're only as good as your last game.

Dan Cole said he wanted revenge for last year at Lansdowne, when the first scrum really set the tone. Ireland were up against a very fired up front row this time.

Cheers for the effort that's gone in there As.

Are there no scrummaging stats? All the running, passing and beating defenders is gloss for a prop, what counts is 'can they scrummage?'.

You don't see proper props like Budgie running around unless it's to get to the the scrum!

Ozzy3213 wrote:Cheers for the effort that's gone in there As.

Are there no scrummaging stats? All the running, passing and beating defenders is gloss for a prop, what counts is 'can they scrummage?'.

You don't see proper props like Budgie running around unless it's to get to the the scrum!

Budgie = legend

Sadly, no scrummaging stats at individual level, but you can deduce what was going on from yesterday's team stats

Sure Decaln Kidney's been on the phone to Budgie last night checking if he's got an Irish granny.

Pete, believe it or not, they may be after his front row colleague, that well-known Maori, Hoani Tui, who apparently did have an Irish grandfather!

that's mental.

Hoani O'Tui, that's got a great ring to it!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Don Alfonso wrote:So the only front rowers to score any tries were Ireland players (both Ulster, in fact). But what we'rr ememebr is them getting handed their derrieres by England. Pity.

Don, I think that's inevitable, most punters will remember the most recent games the clearest and discount the earlier games in the championship - classic narrow framing bias

Unfortunately try-scoring prowess comes second to actual scrummaging

But our scrum was fine when it was any combination of Healy/Court at loosehead, Best/Cronin at hooker and Ross at tighthead. Just need more depth, more options and we'll eventually be ok. ie. More than one tighthead in the country.

I'm really pleased with how Rory Best has been playing in green for the last year. He has a real chance of becoming a Lions tourist imo.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Pete, believe it or not, they may be after his front row colleague, that well-known Maori, Hoani Tui, who apparently did have an Irish grandfather!

Bring him on. Desperation, I embrace it.

Great work ASAB, very thorough

Great work ASBO,

I'm sure I remember Cole making a turn over in the Scots/italy game though...

Also I also thought hookers were meant to be a lot more dynamic then props, but looking at those it's all pretty even. So are props getting a lot more dynamic, or are the hookers that are out there not as good as they should be?

I'm late coming to these threads, but outstanding work ASBO

The mods should give you a badge announcing you as the official 606v2 stato!

Having been a prop this discussion was always going to appeal to me most, however, I would say the only stat that really matters is penalties conceeded. Lo Cicero comes in top with 9 - clearly there is no guarantee these were all from scrums, but certainly most are likely to have come from there. As to the other stats, quite frankly no prop should be involved in gaining metres or offloads and we're too slow to tackle!

yappysnap wrote:I'm sure I remember Cole making a turn over in the Scots/italy game though...

The turnover stats above are conceded, not won, less is better.

Indeed, St Lowe, my comments have tried to reflect that TO and Pen stats, for example, are bad things to be mentioned for!