Six Nations: Statistics, Standings, World Rankings, and Analysis, Week Three

We look in detail at the Six Nations, their teams and history.

First, this weekend’s actions will affect the IRB world rankings. Ireland's new rating will be 81.18 (from 80.49) so they will remain in sixth place.  Likewise Scotland and Italy will remain in ninth and eleventh place respectively. 

However, England will fall from 80.37 points to 79.68 points and will fall to eighth in the world. They will be overtaken by France, who will rise to seventh in the world on 80.14 (from 79.10).

The defending champions Wales will fall from fourth in the world to fifth, with Argentina regaining fourth spot.  The Welsh ranking will not be 81.47, down from 82.51.

Week Three

France 21 defeat Wales 16 @ Stade de France

Outside of their Grand Slam years, Wales haven’t beaten France since 2001. The ledger is still in the current champions favour, standing at 43 wins to Frances 40 (with three draws)

France

Tries Scored: 5

Tries Conceded: 5

France to play England @ Twickenham 15th Match

France beat England at their spiritual home the last time they visited in 2007.  It wasn’t until 1951 that the French beat their historical foes at home.

France to play Italy @ Stadio Flaminio 21st March

France has never lost to the Italians in the Six Nations.  If they can beat the Azzuri by at least 35-40 points, they will be in the box seat for the title assuming the Irish lose a match.

France can still win the title, but would need Ireland not to go unbeaten.  Assuming point’s difference doesn’t alter between now and the last round, France would need to beat Italy by at least 35 points to take the title. 

If Les Bleus take the 2009 title, it would be their seventh title in 13 years.

Wales

Tries Scored: 6

Tries Conceded: 5

Wales to play Italy @ Stade Flaminio 14th March

Wales lost the last time they played Italy in Rome.  They also lost to the Azzuri in 2003 at the historic capital.  These are the only two games the Red Dragons have lost against Italians.

Wales to play Ireland @ Millennium Stadium 21th March

If Ireland beat Scotland, Wales will need to win to deny Ireland a Grand Slam.  With the exception of the Welsh 2005 and 2008 Grand slam years, Ireland has won every match since the year 2000, five times by more than 20 points. 

Ireland still lags 45 win to Wales 62 overall.

Wales can now not win the Slam, but assuming they beat Ireland, they can still win the Six Nations title.  They would need Ireland to lose against Scotland. Then assuming that point’s difference doesn’t alter between now and the last round—Wales would need to beat Ireland by 24 points at Millennium Stadium in the final match to take the title. 

Ireland 14 Vs England 13 @ Croke Park

This was Ireland’s fifth win in six encounters with England.  It was Ireland’s ninth match at the home of Gallic football, Croke Park.  They have lost three times there to the All Blacks, Wales and France.

Ireland

Tries Scored: 9

Tries Conceded: 3

Ireland to play Scotland @ Murrayfield

Last time Ireland visited Scotland at home was in a World Cup warm up and they lost 31-21.  Outside of this match, Ireland had not lost to their fellow home nation since 2001.  All up in Scotland their record is 24 wins and 37 losses.

Ireland to play Wales @ Murrayfield

The potential and ideal championship decider for purists, assuming Ireland defeats Scotland, even a loss to Wales may not deny them the championship.  They will take a solid record to Cardiff. 

In four attempts they have won three times.  With the exception of 2005, Ireland hasn’t lost in Wales since 1987.

John Hayes played in his 47th consecutive Six Nations match, a tournament record.  Ireland is on track to win their first Six Nations title since 1985. They have been runners up five times since 2001, and have won three triple crowns since 2004. Ireland is also on track to win their first Grand Slam since 1948.

It would be only the second time in their 107 year history that they would have recorded such a feat.

England

Tries Scored: 8

Tries Conceded: 3

England to play France @ Twickenham

England hold a current two match winning streak against the French, and England will back their chances in London.  They have beaten Les Bleus 25 times in their capital, and lost just 11 times.  Only four times in the last twenty two years have they lost to the tricolours at Twickenham.

England to play Scotland @ Twickenham

Twice in the last three years the Scottish have beaten the English, however at Twickenham, they English haven’t lost to them since 1983.

In their last eight matches against Test playing countries, England has won just one match. Their worst ever losing sequence is seven matches, going back to 1904 to 1906.

Scotland 26 Vs Italy 6 @ Murrayfield

Scotland took revenge for their loss last year at the hands of the Italians.  Despite the Azzuri being the perennial strugglers of the championship, they have beaten Scotland five times.

Scotland

Tries Scored: 4

Tries Conceded: 5

Scotland to play Ireland @ Murrayfield

Scotland will try to deny Ireland a Six Nations title, joining the French as the perennial up-setters of the Irish Grand Slam dream. While their recent record is poor, between 1987 and 2001 Scotland went undefeated to the Irish at home.

Scotland to play England @ Twickenham

Scotland will look to unleash their new found attacking flair that came to some fruition against Italy. In 2008 they won just three games, and in 2004 won just two matches.  If they cannot win against the English, they will potentially face their worst ever yearly record in 2009.

Italy

Tries Scored: 1

Tries Conceded: 12

Italy to play Wales @ Stade Flaminio

Italy will look to completely derail the current champion’s campaign in a match in which they desperately need to win.  However, last year they were hammered by 39 points.  Still, their record stands at two wins and four losses in Rome.

Italy to play France @ Stade Flaminio

This could be the match that decides whether France could win the Six Nations.  Les Bleus has never lost in Italy, stretching way back to 1952. It would take a massive overturning of history for the Italians to triumph, with their points aggregate to France at home standing at 103 to 348.

Italy has been the big disappointment of the Six Nations this year.  Having won no matches this year, they potentially look to end the year with only six wins since entering the championship since 2000. They will hope to add another to their meagre tally in their final two home games.