Statistical Analysis on Six Nations tournament

Ahead of the Six Nations 2018, we take a look at few of the key numbers.

3 – England will chase a hat-trick of titles, a feat never achieved in the history of the championship or its predecessors the Five Nations and Home Nations Championship.

28 – England have won the tournament more times than any other nation, leading nearest challengers Wales by two. The same is true for Grand Slams, 13 to 11.

26 – former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll holds the career record for most tries in the tournament.

8 – record try total by a player in an individual tournament, shared by England’s Cyril Lowe in 1914 and Scotland’s Ian Smith in 1925.

89 – England’s Jonny Wilkinson set a record points total for the tournament in 2001.

557 – the career record belongs to Ireland’s Ronan O’Gara.

65 – O’Driscoll also holds the record for the most appearances in the competition. Italy’s Sergio Parisse is on course to equal the mark if he appears in all five games this year.

18 – England players either absent or doubtful for the start of this year’s tournament due to injury.

67 – France’s Camille Lopez was the leading points-scorer in last season’s championship. England’s Owen Farrell (63) and Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny (62) were the only other players to crack 50.

100% – Ireland fly-half Jonny Sexton had a perfect nine-from-nine record from his kicks at goal.

103 – Ireland forward CJ Stander was the runaway leader in number of carries, with France’s Louis Picamoles his nearest challenger on 71.

432 – Mike Brown, one of those doubts for England’s opening game, led all players in metres gained.