Did You Know . . . Facts And Figures For Round 3 Of The Lloyds Tsb Six Nations Championship

DID YOU KNOW . . . ROUND 3 OF THE LLOYDS TSB SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
* It’s a bit like the Holy Grail, and only a few players have managed it during the 91 year history of the Five and Six Nations Championships, but scoring a try in every round of the 2002 Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship will be on the minds of at least a couple of players this weekend. England wing Ben Cohen and Irish replacement Ronan O’Gara have already scored in each of their teams matches to date and they will be seeking to add to their tallys against France and Scotland respectively this weekend. If they can do that then they will remain on course to match the achievements of the following players:
Carston Catcheside (England) 1924 2vW,Ir,1vF,S 6
AC ‘Johnny’ Wallace (Scotland) 1925 2vFr,W,1vIr,E 6
Patrick Esteve (France) 1983 2vS,1vE,Ir,W 5
Philippe Sella (France) 1986
1vS,Ir,W,E 4
Gregor Townsend (Scotland) 1999 1vW,E,Ir,F 4
Philippe Bernat-Salles (France) 2001 1vS,Ir,It,W,E 5
Will Greenwood scored six tries in last season’s championship, including a
hat-trick against Wales, but failed to join the roll of honour by missing out in the rearranged game in Dublin in October. he did have some small
consolation, however, by scoring two tries against the Irish at Twickenham
two weeks ago.
* Just in case any English fan needed reminding about how difficult a task
Martin Johnson’s side face in Paris on Saturday, the French have won their
last five matches, four of which have been on home soil – South Africa,
Australia, Fiji, Italy and Wales.
* England have also won five in a row since losing the Grand Slam in Dublin
– Australia, Romania, South Africa, Scotland, Ireland. Coming on top of
their record breaking run of 11 successive victories prior to that Ireland defeat it means the English team can boast 16 wins in their last 17 outings.
* Martin Johnson’s conduct is bound to come under the spotlight at Stade
de France given the controversy surrounding his recent disciplinary hearings. Last time he played in Paris, for Leicester Tigers against Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup final in May 2001, he was given a yellow card.
* It will be congratulations to Raphael Ibanez and Olivier Magne when they reach 50 caps for France against England. Ibanez will join Philippe Dintrans on 50 caps as France’s most capped hooker.
* Both Ibanez and Magne have captained France in the 2002 Lloyds TSB Six
Nations Championship. But it will be the fit again Fabien Galthie who will
lead the side against England – Bernard Laporte’s third captain and scrum half in as many matches.
* Jonny Wilkinson will have two targets in mind at Stade de France. He needs
one more penalty to reach a century for England (Neil Jenkins has kicked 231 for Wales) and he needs 15 points to reach 500 for England in what will
be his 33rd international.
* Ireland’s outside half David Humphreys needs just five points to reach the 300 mark, while Ronan O’Gara is 10 short of joining the 200 club. In
Wales, Stephen Jones became only the eighth Welshman to score 100 points for his country thanks to his 18 points contribution against France.
* Scottish skipper Bryan Redpath will win his 43rd cap in Dublin, but the
Sale Sharks scrum half is still waiting for his first try.
* Ireland will be playing their 496th Test match this weekend, while both
Wales and Scotland have gone through the 500 barrier in the past year. Wales did it in Japan, while Scotland’s game against England was their 500th.
* The Scots have won 12 of their last 14 matches against Ireland and drawn
another. Ireland have only beaten Scotland once in Dublin since 1988.
* Scott Quinnell will be looking to increase his Welsh try record for a
forward against Italy. The Llanelli No 8 has scored nine tries to date in 48 outings. But opposite number Carlo Checchinato leads the way with a world record 19 tries in 73 Test appearances.