On Super Saturday, all three games were decided by four points or fewer: Wales 21-24 Italy, Ireland 17-13 Scotland, and France 33-31 England.
Ten games were won by such fine margins in this year’s Championship, while in the history of the competition in all its previous guises (from Five Nations to Home Nations) there have never been more than seven instances in a single edition.
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In terms of percentage of games decided by four points or fewer, Opta tells us that 2024’s is the highest since 1979, when only 10 matches were played - as opposed to today’s 15.
Ireland edging out the Scots secured them back-to-back titles on St Patrick’s Day weekend, albeit that their two last results - including the previous weekend’s loss to England - have proved that fellow Championship contenders aren’t far behind the green machine.
2024 Championship results:
Round one
France 17-38 Ireland
Italy 24-27 England
Wales 26-27 Scotland
Round two
Scotland 16-20 France
England 16-14 Wales
Ireland 36-0 Italy
Round three
Ireland 31-7 Wales
Scotland 30-21 England
France 13-13 Italy
Round four
Italy 31-29 Scotland
England 23-22 Ireland
Wales 24-45 France
Round five
Wales 21-24 Italy
Ireland 17-13 Scotland
France 33-31 England
