These stats are very revealing but obviously don’t tell the full story … context is everything, e.g. sometimes conceding a penalty at the ruck is the ‘right’ thing to do in defence so possibly shouldn’t be classified as ineffective.

I wonder whether this is because the opposition defenders target Itoje in the line, which presumably frees up the other jumpers.

Agree on the lineout stats, I was surprised to see now back row takes either. England won 9 from 9, so can’t complain too much, but ball to the back might provide a better attacking platform.

Ineffective: Failed clear out, Nothing to assist securing ball or Pen Conceded in Attack; In the ruck but not contesting, cleaned out by opposition, conceded penalty in Defence.

There’s a table in an article Hosie wrote last year: http://www.therugbyblog.com/six-nations-2016-who-is-most-effective-at-the-breakdown

Not the most interesting stat…!

Quite surprised they didn’t use Itoje in the lineout. That was in theory a major plus in having him at 6, the number of jumpers to aim for. I recall him taking plenty against France.