The prop stat that Ireland fans are lapping up
Joe Schmidt and Ireland fans had a lot of positives to take from their victory over Wales at the weekend, particularly a week after a humbling loss to England at Twickenham.
One of the main positives was the performance of loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne, who had a memorable 45 minutes.
The Munster man came off injured, but not before he made his mark on the game at both scrum time and with the ball in hand.
In fact, OptaJonny shared a stat on Twitter that Irish fans love, which is that on only four occasions has a Tier One prop beaten five or more defenders in one game over the past ten years-and it was both Tadhg Furlong or Kilcoyne who achieved that.
Ireland’s tighthead has achieved the feat twice, against Argentina in 2017 and Australia in 2018, beating six players on that occasion, and Kilcoyne has achieved it twice, against Italy in February and Wales last weekend.
4 – There have been just four instances of a Tier 1 prop beating 5+ defenders in a Test match in the last 10 years:
Tadhg Furlong – 5 v Argentina, Nov 2017
Tadhg Furlong- 6 v Australia, June 2018
Dave Kilcoyne – 5 v Italy, Feb 2019
Dave Kilcoyne – 5 v Wales, Aug 2019Rampage. pic.twitter.com/EPbNJMocQ1
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 3, 2019
This is a stat that Irish fans are lapping up, as it is not only good to see their industrious props get some recognition for their work, but it highlights the platform in which Ireland build their success.
Schmidt’s style of rugby is dependent on bruising forwards relentlessly battering the opposition, spearheaded by the likes of Furlong. The volume of carries for the forwards and the ground they make is usually a good barometer for how a team performs, but it is particularly significant with Ireland. If the pack are on the front foot, Jonathan Sexton is able to control the game as he pleases.
‘I remember as a kid having vague recollections of police checks and border controls, so the thought of going back there feels as though it's such a step back in time’
– @BrianODriscoll talks to @heagneyl about Brexit, @IrishRugby and @rugbyworldcuphttps://t.co/jHOw9x5HfE— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 1, 2019
With Ireland suffering a bit of a slump in 2019, they need performances like this from Kilcoyne to get them back on track, and it would have certainly helped the prop in a push for a starting berth.
Cian Healy has long been the favoured loosehead in Ireland, and started the week before in a strong team against England. While he is in the World Cup squad, he hobbled off at Twickenham, and may not be at full fitness in Japan. Kilcoyne showed he is the man to step up and replace the British and Irish Lion and he now has the stats to prove it.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments