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Ten players that never scored an international rugby try despite 60+ caps
By Josh Raisey
The longer a player’s rugby career is, the chances are that they will somehow manage to score a try at some point. Whether it is a pick and go, a crash ball from close range or simply being in the right place at the right time to drop over the line, tries do not need to be scored from 50 metres out and neither do they have to be pretty.
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But five-pointers have somehow eluded a select group with over 60 Test rugby caps for their country – unsurprisingly, props and locks dominate the zero try list.
Mike Ross
Although he was a member of a successful Ireland side that won the Six Nations in 2014 and 2015, the 61-cap former tighthead is his country’s most capped player to never cross the whitewash.
Jean Condom
The France and Biarritz lock during the 1980s is the first of many second-rows to appear on this list.
Allan Jacobsen
A try in a non-cap Barbarians match in 2005 meant he did actually score in a Scotland shirt during his ten-year, 65-cap Scottish career, but he never managed one in an official Test fixture.
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Paul James
As a player who was more renowned for his insuperable scrummaging than anything else, Wales’ 66-cap loosehead was never on the scoresheet in red.
Bradley Davies
Being a hard-running forward that suited Warren Gatland’s direct and physical style of rugby, it is surprising that the Ospreys lock has never scored in his 66-cap career.
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Quintin Geldenhuys
Italy have not necessarily been famed for blowing their opponents away with tries in victory or defeat, and that is perhaps why the 67-cap second row never managed one himself.
Joe Marler
The loosehead may have never managed a five-pointer for England over the course of his 71 caps, but it is still within his power to change that as he is still part of Eddie Jones’ current squad (for reconditioning).
Luke Charteris
The 6ft 9ins lock was of course famed for dominating the lineout during his 74-cap Wales career, but his inability to cross the line may shock some.
Salvatore Perugini
Another Italian high up in this list, which is perhaps understandable coming from a lower ranked tier one nation, the former loosehead previously held the record for the most caps, 83, without amassing any points.
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Owen Franks
Despite playing 108 Tests for the All Blacks, winning two World Cups and being part of one of the most free-scoring sides in rugby history, he remarkably never scored a try. Although tighthead props are not necessarily famed for their try-scoring prowess, it is surprising nonetheless seeing as his long standing front row partner Tony Woodcock even bagged a try in the 2011 RWC final.
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