The Irish provinces apart from Connacht Rugby had big blowout wins last weekend in Guinness Pro 14 action; spotlight this week is on the starting player statistics for Connacht Rugby who lost 17-10 away to Edinburgh Rugby.
A game where indiscipline surfaced (16 penalties leaked, 11 of which in the opening period) and a yellow card for Jarrad Butler. Hawkeye Sidekick reviews some of the key number for the starting lineup which tell the tale on the game.
Tackle Count
This statistic out of the rest shows how under the cosh Connacht Rugby were particularly in this contest. All starting lineup players put in a massive effort defensively and the tackle count (121) really does show in spades in this statistic.
Paul Boyle led the way with a whooping fifteen tackles during the contest; his work rate and performance levels have being a key positive for the province this season.
Meters Gained
Connacht Rugby were on the back foot until the final quarter when field position started to improve due to improved discipline around the breakdown thus not coughing up needless penalties. As a result, the danger runners for Connacht Rugby got in on the action but it was too little too late in terms of salvaging the result.
Matt Healy topped the chart with sixty meters coming off only five carries; impressive stats. Paul Boyle again prominent in this statistic along with players you would expect to be up in this category such as Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adelokun and Eoin Griffin.
Passes Made
This is a compelling statistic as it shows from a team dynamic how expansive the side were, whether the side struggled to create the platform required to execute a fluid, efficient passing game throughout the team. The half backs numbers are low; indication of the dominance that Edinburgh Rugby enjoyed in the first hour of this contest. The back line emergence in the last quarter seen with the numbers of O’Halloran, Godwin and Griffin to make things happen for the outside backs late on.
If Connacht Rugby lose the territory battle like they did against Edinburgh Rugby last week, it is going to be a tough afternoon tomorrow against the Scarlets. Solid discipline, pack cohesion on the set piece are required. Defensive improvements certainly with only the concession of seventeen points last week in the midst of waves of Edinburgh Rugby attacks but there are areas that need to be worked on and hopefully Connacht Rugby will deliver a far more accurate performance in the Sportsgrounds tomorrow.