Round Two of the Women’s Six Nations produced 100 points, 66 penalties and three bonus points, one of which helped England take a three-point lead at the top of the table.
The standout game of the weekend was undoubtedly England’s 41-26 victory over reigning Grand Slam champions France on Sunday.
The first half was all about England as they ran in four tries with no reply to rack up a dominant lead at the break but France saved some face by notching four of their own in the second half.
The stats themselves are perhaps a good example of two teams being difficult to separate on paper – but telling a different story on the pitch.
With an equal 50 per cent share of possession and a very narrow territorial advantage (52 per cent) in England’s favour, this one came down to clinical finishing as England took their chances well.
France carried the ball 142 times to England’s 139 for a total of 1,006 metres compared to the Red Roses’ 946 to further demonstrate the fine margins.
England were left with 14 players on the pitch on two separate occasions after Vickii Cornborough and Zoe Harrison were sin-binned but France were unable to make them pay.
Katy Daley-Mclean kicked more metres (360) than anybody else in Round Two with her compatriot Emily Scarratt coming in second more than 100 metres (213) behind her.
Friday saw Ireland get their campaign up and running with a 22-5 victory at Scotstoun.
Unfortunately for Scotland the stats tell the full story from this one with Ireland enjoying 70 per cent of the territory and 64 per cent of the possession and making good use of it.
The result was Ireland producing more than twice as many ball carries as their opponents (203-96) with second-rower Anna Caplice returning 20 of those, more than any other player over Round Two.
Meanwhile Ireland’s scrum-half Alisa Hughes was responsible for conjuring up 147 effective passes, again more than any other player over the weekend with Wales’ Keira Bevan her closest rival on 86.
Three of Ireland’s forwards made tryscoring contributions with Caplice, Aoide McDermott and Alison Miller all going over.
And Saturday’s match saw Wales and Italy play out a 3-3 draw with very little to separate them in terms of possession and territory.
Wales broke 13 tackles and perhaps should have had a try to show for their efforts but were unable make the necessary breakthrough.
Jasmine Joyce did have a stunning try disallowed by the TMO and such is her ability to run with the ball takes second spot on the list of metres made per carry with 17, just shy of France’s Doriane Constanty (17.6).
Amy Evans was the only player over Round Two to complete more than one breakdown steal while Siwan Lillicrap made 18 carries, only Ireland’s Caplice made more.
