In 2013 World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper declared that the 2015 tournament would have “the most balanced and equitable match schedule in the history of the Rugby World Cup”.…
Russ Petty
Rugby Statistics: Does World Cup form matter?
How much attention should be given to form going into a World Cup? Significance may well be attached to ‘building momentum’ in competitions such as the Rugby Championship beforehand, but…
Rugby statistics: Why South Africa may struggle to overlook Jaco Kriel for the World Cup
During the Springboks training camp in May, head coach Heyneke Meyer said that picking the loose forwards for the Rugby World Cup was his biggest worry. Given the limitations of…
Rugby statistics: Who is the most prolific try-scorer in Europe?
When it was announced in January 2014 that Thomas Waldrom would be joining Exeter Chiefs, head coach Rob Baxter said: “We feel his best years are probably still to come.”…
Rugby statistics: Is the Aviva Premiership the most competitive league in Europe?
After the European Champions Cup quarter-finals, Wasps’ director of rugby Dai Young suggested all stats point towards the Aviva Premiership as being the most competitive league in Europe. Is that…
Rugby Statistics: The role of Ireland’s kicking in the Six Nations
After Ireland’s 19-9 win over England, Stuart Lancaster made reference to the amount of Irish kicking in the match saying: “I think 44 kicks in open play tells a story.…
Rugby statistics: The England players under Stuart Lancaster
England’s third round Six Nations contest with Ireland will feature a match day squad without Mike Brown for the first time since their 14-14 draw with South Africa back in…
Rugby statistics: Comparing No 8s from the Premiership, Pro12 and Top 14
In 2013, then Scotland head coach Scott Johnson received a few laughs for his “statistics are a bit like bikinis – it shows a lot but not the whole thing”…
Rugby statistics: Can we predict the 2015 Super Rugby winner?
The 20th season of Super Rugby begins in February and with the tournament expanding to 18 teams in 2016, this will be the fifth and final time that the 15…
Rugby statistics: Tracking England player burn-out
With a World Cup approaching, expect much talk of growing the game and new commercial opportunities. Potential showpiece events such as the winners of Super Rugby and the European Champions…