The stats behind Maro Itoje's titanic performance against Wales

The stats behind Maro Itoje's titanic performance against Wales

England second-rower Maro Itoje produced yet another standout performance against Wales in round three of the Six Nations.

Flyhalf Marcus Smith was officially named the Guinness Player of the Match, while England fans voted Alex Dombrandt as their Player of the Match, with Itoje's performance flying somewhat under the radar.

The 27-year-old played a critical role in helping England to their victory, winning the final turnover that secured the win for England as Wales attempted to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

His final contribution to England's 23-19 victory, that last turnover, was his fourth of the game. Only Rory Darge (5) managed more turnovers this weekend than Itoje.

Three of Itoje's turnovers came from the breakdown, four of Darge's came at the breakdown. His other turnover came from a tackle on Dewi Lake, where he ripped the ball off the hooker.


Itoje was a menace at the breakdown throughout the game; he contested 15 of Wales' rucks, the highest number of defensive rucks hit this weekend, edging fellow countrymen Courtney Lawes (14).

His work rate at the breakdown was unmatched in any of the three Six Nations matches this weekend. In total, he hit an incredible 54 rucks in his 80-minute performance, with the next best tally in round three coming from Wales' lock Will Rowlands (37).


He hit 39 of England's 113 attacking rucks in total, featuring in a staggering 35% of their attacking breakdowns. He was one of the first three arriving players on all but two of those 39 attacking rucks hit.


He was sound defensively, completing 11 of his attempted 12 tackles and landing one dominant hit.

The second-rower was one of England's go-to ball carriers. He made 11 carries throughout the game; a tally only bettered in the England squad by Freddie Steward (12) and Alex Dombrandt (15). From those 11 carries, he made 29 running metres and completed an offload.

He showed off his softer skills too, making nine passes while his lineout work was a feature of his game again. He won four of England's eight lineouts and put Scotland's set-piece under pressure, whether legal or not.

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