Three rounds before the 2026 Six Nations Tournament and the numbers are already shaping the storylines: France looking the most clinical, Scotland the most efficient, England living off the territory, Ireland still searching for precision, while Wales and Italy have quietly presented fascinating underlying indicators.

50 stats that explain the first three rounds of the 2026 Six Nations

Below are 50 stats of the first three rounds that show what works, what falters and what could decide the championship race.

France: the reference (and the risk)

1. Total meters gained: France leads the tournament with 1,972m.
2. First phase trials: France scored 9the most in the championship.
3. 22m efficiency: France converted 40.9% of 22 million test entries.
4. Flea kicks: France leads with 11.
5. Kicks in the box: France used 40just behind Wales.
6. 50/22 success: France is one of the only two teams with a successful 50/22.
7. Alignment errors: France has a perfect record with 0.
8. Maul-to-try: France is one of the only two teams to turn a maul into a try.
9. First impulse: France scored 3 attempts within 10 minutes of opening.
10. Conceded turnover: France conceded a tournament record 59.

France appear to be the most dangerous team in the competition – but that turnover is the only number that can keep the others at bay.

Ireland: pressure without varnish

11. Scrum violations: Ireland are the ones who have conceded the most with 12.
12. Alignment errors: Ireland leads the tournament with 3.
13. Tackling success: Ireland sits on 75.00%.
14. Conceded turnover: Ireland conceded 43.
15. Rucks won in opposition 22: Ireland recorded 30.
16. 50/22 success: Ireland is one of the two teams to successfully execute one.
17. Restart retention: Ireland retained 1 restart the kick.
18. First impulse: Ireland scored 2 attempts within 10 minutes of opening.

The underlying pressure is there for Ireland, but set-piece errors and scrum discipline are leaving points on the field.

Scotland: efficiency, precision, composure

19. Tackling success: Scotland leads the tournament to 85.22%.
20. Conceded turnover: Scotland conceded 32.
21. Maul-to-try: Scotland is one of the only two teams to turn a maul into a try.
22. Restart retention: Scotland leads with 2 Restart kicks retained.
23. Flea kicks: Scotland tried 5.
24. Rucks won in opposition 22: Scotland recorded 12.
25. First impulse: Scotland scored 2 attempts within 10 minutes of opening.

Scotland aren’t tops in every ‘power’ category, but their efficiency stats are ‘hard to beat’.

England: kings of territories, ball security concerns

26. Territorial Strike Meters: England lead with 2,893 m kicked.
27. Kicks in the box: England used 26.
28. Tackling success: England sits on 79.06%.
29. Conceded turnover: England conceded 56.
30. Flea kicks: England tried 6.
31. Rucks won in opposition 22: England recorded 14.
32. First impulse: England scored 2 attempts within 10 minutes of opening.

England control where matches are played – but this turnover is the wake-up call.

Wales: high work rate, high retention, free edge

33. Kicks in the box: Wales leads the tournament with 43.
34. Conceded turnover: Wales are the best in the championship with only 26.
35. Rucks won in opposition 22: Wales lead with 33.
36. Tackling success: Wales sits at 76.37%.
37. CA profile: Wales conceded 33 fewer turnovers than France (26 against 59).
38. Territorial approach: Wales are the most committed to pressing contested kicks (#1 volume on kicks).
39. Presence in red zone: Wales spent a lot of time in the 22 (rucks won first place) but did not match France’s conversion rate.
40. Ball security: Wales’ retention is better than any other nation after three rounds.

Wales’ numbers suggest a team capable of pressing and keeping the ball – the missing piece is turning that work into tries.

Italy: competitive in periods, always looking for the avant-garde

41. 22m efficiency: Italy just converts 16.7% of 22 million test entries.
42. Tackling success: Italy sits on 78.86%.
43. Conceded turnover: Italy conceded 52.
44. Flea kicks: Italy tried 3 (lowest in tournament table shown).
45. Rucks won in opposition 22: Italy recorded 13.
46. First impulse: Italy scored 1 try within 10 minutes of opening.

Italy’s defense isn’t miles off, but their conversion tally of 22 million explains why strong spells don’t become scoreboard pressure.

Set pieces and discipline: the hidden factors of swing

47. Scrum discipline: Ireland conceded the most fouls at scrum (12), while England and Wales are the most disciplined (5 each).
48. Maul strategy: England attempted the most mauls (24), but only France and Scotland converted a maul into a try.
49. Line accuracy: Ireland leads touchline offenses (3), while France did 0 alignment errors.
50. Defensive penalties in dangerous areas: Wales have conceded the most goals in defense (23), followed closely by England (22).

What the numbers actually mean after three rounds

France have the most clinical attack, Scotland have the cleanest efficiency profile, England live out of territory and Ireland’s underlying pressure is undermined by set-piece and discipline issues.

But don’t ignore Wales and Italy. Wales lead the tournament for red zone rucks And ball retention – these are foundations that you can build on quickly if the offense clicks. Italy’s conversion rate shows you exactly why they aren’t turning their competitiveness into wins.

There are two rounds left. If one side improves a single lever — France reduces its turnover, Ireland clean up the scrum/lineoutOr Wales sharpen 22m conversion — the table can still move quickly.

The position 50 stats that explain the first three rounds of the 2026 Six Nations appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.