Key stats from the first three rounds that explain the Six Nations standings

A compact, stat-driven breakdown of how the opening three rounds of the Six Nations reveal strengths, risks and potential turning points for every team

The opening three rounds of the Six Nations have produced distinct patterns across possession, territory and set-piece metrics. Teams that command the ball and territory have translated those advantages into consistent scoring opportunities. Other teams expose structural vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit in the remaining fixtures.

The data tells us an interesting story: possession and restart retention underlie most outcomes so far. Conversion rates inside the 22, turnover profiles and scrum success separate contenders from challengers. In my Google experience, rigorous attribution of events to outcomes improves game planning; the same applies on the pitch.

This analysis preserves exact statistics where available and interprets their likely impact on the table.

National profiles: strengths and warning signs

France: attacking benchmark with a clear warning sign

The data tells us an interesting story: France lead the Six Nations for metres gained and first-phase tries, yet a single metric keeps rivals competitive.

They have amassed 1,972m in total metres gained and scored 9 first-phase tries. Their entries inside the 22 have produced tries at a 40.9% conversion rate.

In territory management they show variety. France top the tournament for chip kicks with 11 and have used 40 box kicks, second only to Wales. They executed one of only two successful 50/22s and present a flawless lineout record with 0 errors. Their maul has been effective enough to yield a try, and they have scored 3 tries inside the first 10 minutes across matches.

Why does this matter for the standings? Their attack creates pressure and early scoring opportunities. Early tries shift momentum and force opponents to chase the game. In my Google experience, volume of entries and varied kicking keep defences stretched and produce measurable gains in territory and scoring chances.

Yet the red flag is clear. France have conceded the tournament-high 59 turnovers. That leakage undermines sustained pressure and hands possession back to opponents. Turnovers reduce expected points and compress margins for error in tight matches.

Implications and practical takeaways

From a tactical viewpoint, opponents can remain within reach by targeting turnover opportunities and disrupting phase continuity. France must protect ball in contact and under high contest to convert their attacking dominance into a decisive table advantage. Marketing today is a science: apply the same principle to performance rugby by tracking the inputs that most reliably produce output—here, entries, kicking variety and, crucially, turnover rate.

Key metrics to monitor going forward include metres gained, first-phase try rate, 22m conversion percentage and turnovers. These indicators will show whether France can sustain their attacking edge while closing the possession leak that currently keeps rivals competitive.

The data tells us an interesting story about Ireland’s campaign so far. Their approach shows clear intent inside the opponent 22, but execution problems are recurring. Ireland have conceded the most scrum offences in the tournament with 12. They also lead for lineout errors with 3. Tackle success sits at 75.00%, and they have lost 43 turnovers. Restart retention is low, with only 1 retained restart. On the positive side, Ireland have won 30 rucks in opposition territory and are one of two teams to complete a successful 50/22. They have scored 2 tries inside the opening 10 minutes.

These indicators suggest Ireland’s shape and attacking intent are working, but set-piece and discipline lapses are costing them possession and points. In my Google experience, converting territorial advantage into sustained control requires fewer unforced errors at the set piece and cleaner restart mechanics.

Efficiency and control: Scotland and England contrasted

Scotland display a tight defensive structure and higher restart retention than Ireland. Their tackle completion rate is more consistent, and they concede fewer turnovers. England, by contrast, combine aggressive line-speed with disciplined set-piece execution. That balance gives England a clearer platform for sustained phases and scoreboard pressure.

The data tells us an interesting story about how small margins matter. Scotland rely on quick ruck speed and fewer handling errors to maintain phases. England emphasise scrum stability and accurate lineout throws to dominate possession. Marketing today is a science: similarly, match control depends on measurable, repeatable actions across phases.

Case studies from recent rounds show the effect. Teams that reduce scrum offences and lineout errors by even one or two incidents per game increase effective possession time and scoring opportunities. Key tactical levers include targeted scrum coaching, simplified lineout calls, and dedicated restart drills that boost retention.

KPI monitoring should focus on scrum offences, lineout success rate, restart retention, rucks won in opposition 22, and turnovers conceded. Those metrics will reveal whether Ireland can close the technical gaps identified here and whether Scotland or England can exploit them to gain tournament advantage.

Scotland’s efficiency underpins their tournament position

The data tells us an interesting story as the match context shifts from Ireland’s technical gaps to Scotland’s steady profile.

Scotland stand out for accuracy and composure rather than raw power. They lead tackle success at 85.22% and have conceded only 32 turnovers. Their restart work is effective, with 2 retained kicks and an active use of 5 chip kicks.

They have converted a maul into a try, one of only two teams to do so, and won 12 rucks inside the opposition 22. Scotland also scored 2 early tries inside the first ten minutes, a metric that influences momentum and opponent game plans.

In my Google experience, these are the kinds of measurable fundamentals that shape outcomes. High defensive efficiency and tidy possession work make Scotland difficult to dislodge, even when they do not dominate all raw volume metrics.

High defensive efficiency and tidy possession work make Scotland difficult to dislodge, even when they do not dominate all raw volume metrics. The data tells us an interesting story about how field position shapes outcomes across the tournament.

England: territorial control undermined by turnovers

England are determining where matches are played through deliberate territorial kicking. They lead the tournament in territorial kicking metres with 2,893m, have used 26 box kicks and have scored 2 early tries. Their strategy forces opponents to defend deep inside their half.

Ball security remains a clear vulnerability. England have conceded 56 turnovers and their tackle success sits at 79.06%. Those figures reduce the value of field position gains and create repeat defensive work.

They have attempted 6 chip kicks and won 14 rucks inside the opposition 22. The approach shows tactical intent, but the turnover count undermines that control.

Wales and italy: work-rate and missed chances

Wales exhibit high work-rate metrics across contact and breakdowns. Their phases per trip and defensive intensity produce repeated pressure on oppositions’ ball carriers. In my Google experience, sustained pressure often converts into errors from tired defenders.

Italy combine heavy carrying meters with moments of offensive creativity, but they have missed chances in the red zone. The data shows frequent line breaks that fail to convert into points. Marketing today is a science: here, execution inside the 22 is the measurable conversion metric that matters.

Both teams rely on repeat possession and physicality to create scoring windows. Tracking conversion rates from line breaks and ruck arrivals will clarify which side turns volume into scoreboard advantage.

Wales: retention strong, finishing requires improvement

The data tells us an interesting story about Wales’ campaign so far. They combine high work-rate with elite retention but lack cutting-edge finishing. Wales lead the tournament with 43 box kicks and have conceded the fewest turnovers at 26. They also top the rucks-won-in-opposition-22 metric with 33, while their tackle success sits at 76.37%.

Despite prolonged possession in the red zone, Wales have not matched France’s conversion efficiency. They have conceded 23 defensive penalties in danger areas, the highest in the field. That indiscipline has blunted some attacking momentum and reduced expected points from sustained pressure.

In my Google experience, marginal gains in execution often unlock measurable scoring improvements. Here, improving quick-phase decision-making and reducing penalty frequency should raise conversion rates. Tracking conversion rates from line breaks and ruck arrivals will clarify which side turns volume into scoreboard advantage.

Practical tactics include sharpening kick-chase timing, rehearsing red-zone set plays, and implementing a clearer attribution model for attacking sequences. The final metric to watch is points per red-zone entry; it will show whether Wales convert possession into points at a championship level.

The data tells us an interesting story as the focus shifts from Wales to Italy. While Italy show competitive phases, they repeatedly fail to convert territorial pressure into points.

22m efficiency sits at 16.7%, explaining why extended possession inside the opposition 22 produces few tries. Italy’s defensive work is serviceable; their tackle success is 78.86%, and they have conceded 52 turnovers. Yet the attack lacks clinical finishing.

Italy have won only 13 rucks inside the opposition 22 and registered a single early try. They have attempted just 3 chip kicks. Those figures point to a pattern: phases build, but the final actions in the scoring zone are insufficient.

Set-piece, discipline and the tournament swing factors

Set-piece stability and discipline will determine whether Italy can alter that pattern. Poor execution at the lineout or scrum increases turnover risk and reduces surrender-to-scoring opportunities. Penalties in kickable positions shrink the margin for error.

In my Google experience, measurable improvements come from treating the red zone like a conversion funnel: identify leakage, test a small set of actions, and scale what raises conversion. For Italy, that means sharper ruck attendance, clearer roles for carrying and support, and more varied finishing options.

Key metrics to monitor include red-zone entries, points per 22m entry, turnovers conceded in the 22 and successful rucks won inside the opposition 22. These KPIs will reveal whether Italy can translate defensive solidity into match-winning scores.

Key match levers: discipline, mauls, lineouts and danger‑area penalties

The data tells us an interesting story about controllable match levers that can decide close games. These KPIs will reveal whether Italy can translate defensive solidity into match-winning scores.

Scrum discipline stands out. Ireland have conceded the most scrum offences at 12. England and Wales are the cleanest, with 5 each. Fewer scrum offences reduce reset time and limit opponent momentum.

Maul strategy is a contrasting axis. England have attempted the most mauls at 24. Only France and Scotland, however, have converted mauls into tries. That gap points to differences in execution and finish rate rather than intent.

Lineout accuracy differs materially between teams. France show zero lineout errors in the sample. Ireland lead in lineout offences with 3. Reliable lineouts sustain phase play and feed both mauls and set-piece drives.

Penalties conceded in danger areas concentrate with Wales at 23 and England at 22. Those infractions carry direct scoring risk and can flip tight contests.

From a performance‑marketing perspective, these are measurable inputs into a conversion funnel. In my Google experience, marginal gains in set‑piece execution and discipline compound across a match. Marketing today is a science: small, repeatable improvements produce outsized results.

What to watch next

Track scrum offences, maul success rate, lineout error rate and danger‑area penalties as primary KPIs. Each metric is actionable and tied to clear tactical changes.

The data tells us an interesting story: each of the six teams shows a clear tactical identity after three rounds.

France lead the attacking metrics through clinical finishing and line breaks. Their edge in chance conversion is decisive, but turnovers remain the single most dangerous vulnerability to address. Targeted ball-retention drills and restart protocols would reduce those losses inside opposition territory.

Scotland demonstrate composed decision-making and high efficiency in counter phases. Their low error rate under pressure sustains possession and field position. Reinforcing contact technique and exit patterns would preserve that advantage in tighter fixtures.

England control territory and tempo through structured kicking and phase play. Their weakness appears when possession is lost in congested areas. Tactical emphasis on secure distribution from contact and alternative exit strategies can mitigate turnover risk.

Ireland generate sustained pressure across the field but register slippages at set pieces. Improving scrum timing and lineout communication would convert territorial dominance into concrete scoring opportunities.

Wales and Italy both show underlying positives that remain sensitive to small improvements. For Wales, increasing conversion of 22m entries into points would shift match outcomes. For Italy, marginal gains in defensive alignment or maul countermeasures could produce outsized effects.

Each metric is actionable and tied to clear tactical changes. Practical interventions include set-piece rehearsals, turnover minimisation routines, and targeted kicking plans. In my Google experience, testing small, measurable adjustments across the funnel of possession yields rapid performance gains: the same principle applies on the pitch.

Key performance indicators to monitor are turnover rate, conversion from 22m entries, set-piece win percentage and penalty count in the danger area. Tracking those KPIs provides a direct link between training inputs and match outcomes as the championship progresses.