What do the Kicking stats from the Men’s Six Nations tell us this week? ITAvWAL ENGvFRA SCOvIRE 8/9.02.25

First up, the conditions. Both games on Saturday were played in the rain; all 4 teams kicked more often and for more metres than the previous week.

ITAvWAL 22:15 08.02.25

Wales kicked 41 times, often early in possession to little effect, often kicking possession away and not gaining any ground. Thomas scored his first points but Edwards missed his kick.

Italy actually kicked the ball 50 times, 9 times more than Wales but for a similar distance, yet their kicking was much more effective than Wales. Italy kicked to apply pressure, to turn the defenders. They scored from a delightful grubber from Garbisi, who then followed it up with a banger of a banana kick. Paige-Relo shmoked a 50-22 and Tam Allan nailed 6 from 8 kicks.

Italy had 46% of the possession but 56% of the territory which shows the gains made thru kicking at the right time.

ENGvFRA 26:25 08.02.25

England and France both kicked more than they did the week before; hoping to take advantage of the rain. France mishandled 30 times which put paid to their chances. England were the only victorious team that had less territory (46%) than their opponents, which kinda shows how France threw the game away.

Finn Smith’s Up N Under put Freeman in for a try and Damien Penaud’s grubber set up a score for France. Finn Smith was 2/2, Marcus Smith 1/3 and Ramos slotted 4 outta 5.

SCOvIRE 18:32 09.02.25

On Sunday, there was no rain as such in Edinburgh but the air was damp and the ground was greasy. Scotland kicked a paltry 18 times against Ireland for only 348metres – that’s less than half the distance Ireland kicked for (748metres from 24 kicks)

Ireland again had less possession and more territory than Scotland, showing the value of playing the percentages and kicking for field position. I’m going to accuse Scotland of trying to play too much, from too far away against a defence that soaked up everything Scotland ran at them. Watching in the stadium there was acres of space in the back field to exploit. Scotland tried to get there by running.

23 handling errors and 3 charged down kicks can’t be acceptable. The only thing I can think of is that Scotland didnt kick long as they had thought Ireland had set a trap.

So far this tournament has only seen 2 successful 50/22’s from 6 matches and even more surprisingly of 36 tries, 1 in 6 have come directly from a kick. Defences are adapting to the law changes, the kickers need to shape their kicks to regain the advantage!

Tale of the Tens

Paolo Garbisi had as good a game in the Italian jersey as I’ve seen from him in awhile. 2 sublime pieces of skill opened the scoring. Finn Smith was also very adept, his pass to Daly was world class. Thomas, Edwards, Jalibert and Russell had days to forget.

Prendergast was excellent. The only thing preventing him from getting a 10 outta 10 was the lack of a try. His kicking from hand was exemplary and from the tee he got 6 from 8. Kinghorn managed 3 from 4. Kinghorn’s Chip and regather early was Scotland’s kicking highlight, Prendergast was Ireland’s!