Six Nations: ‘Devastating’ French back shoots up attacking stats while Azzurri ‘brick wall’ highlighted

Louis Chapman Coombe 26 Feb 2025 4:25 PM

A two pannelled image of Sebastian Negri and Louis Bielle-Biarrey — Sebastian Negri (left) and Louis Bielle-Biarrey (right) in action during the Six Nations

Following the conclusion of round three of the Six Nations, Planet Rugby runs through the key statistics from the opening three weekends.

With the help of Sage, we take a look through the crucial attack and defence stats throughout the first three rounds of fixtures.

Top points and try scorers

It might have been a tough weekend for the Azzurri, but Tommaso Allan (38) ends another weekend at the top of the points-scoring charts. The Italian fullback added seven more points to his haul, thanks to two conversions and a penalty in Italy’s 73-24 defeat.

France’s rout over Italy might not have affected Allan’s records too much, but it has given Frenchman Thomas Ramos (34) a huge boost as he moves up to second on the leaderboard. Ramos’ total of 16 points, courtesy of eight conversions, also saw him leapfrog compatriot Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

Another big mover was Sam Prendergast (32), who climbs up two spots into third. The Leinsterman notched 17 points in his side’s comeback win over Wales, knocking over five penalties and one conversion to get there.

The first thing Finn Russell said to Duhan van der Merwe after crucial missed match-winner

Elsewhere, Bielle-Biarre (25) and Huw Jones (20) come in fourth and fifth respectively with both backs scoring a try apiece.

The devastating French back is also still the leading try-scorer this Championship, with his try taking his tally up to five in just three Tests. The aforementioned Jones also increased his tally this weekend, with his try against England moving him up to four for the year.

Underneath them, there’s a three-way tie between Tommy Freeman, Ben White and Theo Attissogbe (all on 3), with all three men crossing this weekend.

The French rout has also seen another Les Bleus star climb up the ladder, as Antoine Dupont (6) now sits at the top of the assists charts, thanks to his three assists in the win over Italy. He now has two more assists than the two players below him, in the form of both Bielle-Biarrey and James Lowe (4)

Fin Smith, Yoram Moefana, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast and Tom Jordon (all on 2) round off the list.

Attacking stats

Once again, Scotland and Toulouse ace Blair Kinghorn is a major standout in the attacking stats. The back leads the way for both carries (58) and metres (500) across the Championship, continuing his form from the Top 14.

In the carrying charts, French duo Gregory Alldritt (46) and Dupont (41) sit second and third respectively, with their efforts against Italy propelling them up the ladder. Zander Fagerson (38) and Jac Morgan (36) complete the carrying leaderboard.

Kinghorn’s Scotland teammate Duhan van der Merwe’s (318) titanic effort against England moves him up to second in the metres stats. Marcus Smith (310) is third, Lowe (299) ranks fourth and Ramos (288) sits fifth.

Defence stats

Whilst they were torn apart by France, the Italian brick wall was still clear for everyone to see, with three of the five top tacklers coming from Gonzalo Quesada’s team.

Will Greenwood: England in a ‘dangerous place’ as Steve Borthwick fails to ‘live up to his words’

Seb Negri (50) leads the way in defence this year, Michele Lamaro (43) sits in fourth and formidable forward Lorenzo Cannone (39) is in fifth. Elsewhere, Josh van der Flier (49) is second with Morgan (48) in third.