If you like to be the one in the conversation that seems to be on top of every data point in relation to sport then the Stats Perform information that they are supplying around the Guinness Six nations will be right up your street.
Here are some juicy stats to help look forward to Saturday’s Round One clash between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium.
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England won their most recent Test match against Ireland (23-22 in March 2024) after losing four in a row previously
Comeback Kings
Steve Borthwick’s side were behind at half-time in that game. It was the first time this fixture had been won by the team who trailed at the break since the 1996 Five Nations (England 28-15 Ireland). England actually trailed at half-time in each of their five matches in last year’s Six Nations. It was the first time they have trailed at the break in every match of a campaign since the 1974 Five Nations. They won three of those matches though, and no side has ever recorded as many second half comebacks in an edition of the Championship
Home Comfort
Ireland have won each of their last three home matches against England, including two in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. Only twice before have they enjoyed longer winning runs against England on Irish soil – a four-match winning streak from 2005 to 2011, and a run of six wins between 1897 and 1907. Ireland have lost just two of their last 29 home fixtures in the Six Nations (W25, D2), a run stretching back to the end of the 2013 campaign.
Fast Starters
Ireland and England both have a 72% win rate in the opening round of the Men’s Six Nations, having each won 18 round 1 fixtures. That is more than any other team in the Championship
Lineout Focus
Ireland and England had identical lineout records during last year’s Six Nations, each winning 62 of 68 throws (91%), the joint-best rates of any sides last year. Ireland also won a higher share of their opponents’ throws than any other nation (21%).
Standout Scrummaging
Ireland boasted the Championship’s best scrum success rate (93%)
Kicking Kings
England made an average of 29.9 kicks in play across their Test matches in 2024, the most of any tier 1 Men’s team. They retained possession from 17% of their kicks in last year’s Six Nations, the highest rate in the Championship, while Ireland had the lowest rate (6%)
Scoring Conversion
Ireland and England each made 48 attacking 22-metre entries in the 2024 Six Nations, the most of any of team in last year’s Championship. However, England scored the fewest points per entry of any team (2.1), while Ireland scored the second most (2.8) behind only Scotland (2.9).
The Stars to Watch Out For
Ireland’s James Lowe was the only player to gain over 300 metres in the 2024 Six Nations (371), and scored both of Ireland’s tries when they faced England in the penultimate round of last year’s Championship. He has racked up four tries in five outings against England, including one in their last meeting in Dublin in August 2023.
Maro Itoje, England’s captain for the 2025 Six Nations, won at least three more turnovers than any other player in tier 1 Men’s rugby in 2024 (15), and also ranked first among all such players for both attacking (300) and defensive (137) ruck hits last year.
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
There is an industry that has grown up around providing the kind of data and analysis that was once only deemed important in US Sport. It make for smarter coaching decisions but also increases engagement for the fans as these detailed stats show ahead of Saturday.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The game will kick off at 16:45 in the Aviva Stadium with live coverage on Virgin Media One.
MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS
Fan Engagement via these kind of statistics will be one of the themes at our Sport for Business Sport and Data event taking place at the Sandymount Hotel in the shadow of the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, February 27th.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
