WHO KEEPS THE BALL AND WHO GIVES IT AWAY? RUGBY’S TOP AND BOTTOM PERFORMERS

• Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn has stood out as the most dependable player, completing the tournament without losing possession.
• In contrast, England’s Sam Underhill recorded the highest rate of turnovers, making him the most likely to concede the ball.
• The study examined how often players lost possession per minute throughout the Six Nations competition.

According to a report by Nieuwe Casinos, certain players excelled at ball retention, while others struggled to keep hold of possession.

The analysis ranked players based on their turnover rates, highlighting how crucial ball control is in elite rugby, where a single mistake can shift the game’s momentum. Scottish players dominated the rankings with flawless turnover records, whereas English players featured prominently among those with the highest turnover rates, highlighting areas that need improvement. 

These findings reflect the importance of precision in high-level rugby—holding onto the ball isn’t just about individual skill but also about composure under pressure and making the right decisions in critical moments. Players who struggle with turnovers may need to adjust their handling techniques or improve their decision-making in contact situations to avoid costly mistakes.”

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Top 5 Least Clumsy Players

1. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)

Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn led the rankings by playing 226 minutes without conceding a single turnover. His safe hands were crucial to Scotland’s attacking play, contributing 38 carries and covering 212 meters to strengthen their offense.

1. Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

Cameron Redpath was another standout for Scotland, maintaining perfect ball control over 147 minutes. With 26 carries and 125 meters gained, he proved to be a dependable presence in Scotland’s lineup.

1. Ryan Elias (Wales)

Though his time on the field was limited, Ryan Elias made the most of his 85 minutes without losing possession. His 30 carries and 33 meters gained reflected his effectiveness in securing the ball for Wales.

1. Freddie Steward (England)

Freddie Steward provided stability for England, completing 160 minutes without a turnover. His 23 carries and 149 meters gained reinforced his impact as a key player in England’s offensive structure.

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1. Calvin Nash (Ireland)

Calvin Nash showcased his reliability for Ireland, going 287 minutes without surrendering possession. With 36 carries and 196 meters gained, he played a vital role in Ireland’s attacking approach.

Summary Table of Five Least Clumsy Players

Five Most Clumsy Players

1. Sam Underhill (England)

Topping the list for the highest turnover rate, Sam Underhill had the most turnovers per minute. Despite only losing possession once in 312 minutes, his low number of carries (just 5) meant his turnover rate per carry and per minute was disproportionately high. His turnovers lost per 80 minutes stood at 0.26, highlighting issues with ball security.

1. Ollie Chessum (England)

Ollie Chessum follows closely behind, giving up possession three times in 331 minutes. His turnover rate per 80 minutes stood at 0.73, and with 21 carries, he recorded a turnovers lost per carry rate of 0.14, indicating difficulties in keeping possession under pressure.

1. Maro Itoje (England)

Maro Itoje ranked as the third-most turnover-prone player, losing possession four times over 400 minutes. His turnovers lost per 80 minutes was 0.80, and with 28 carries, his turnovers lost per carry rate of 0.14 reflected inconsistency in ball handling.

1. George Ford (England)

George Ford struggled with ball retention, conceding three turnovers in 345 minutes. His turnover rate per 80 minutes stood at 0.70, and with just 14 carries, he had a turnovers lost per carry rate of 0.21, making him one of the least secure players in possession.

1. Uini Atonio (France)

France’s Uini Atonio completes the list, losing possession twice in 261 minutes. His turnovers lost per 80 minutes came in at 0.61, and with 29 carries, he had a turnovers lost per carry rate of 0.07, suggesting occasional handling lapses but slightly better ball security than those ranked above him.

Summary Table of Five Most Clumsy Players

Nieuwe Casinos representative Valentijn De Bruin shared his thoughts on the study:

“Keeping possession is a key aspect of rugby, as players who secure the ball effectively give their team a competitive edge. Those who can maintain control under pressure create more attacking opportunities while limiting their opponents’ chances. Blair Kinghorn and Cameron Redpath have demonstrated exceptional decision-making and technical ability, proving that strong ball-handling skills are invaluable.

Scottish players dominated the rankings with flawless turnover records, whereas English players featured prominently among those with the highest turnover rates, highlighting areas that need improvement.”

Methodology

The data, collected on 9 January 2024, included player statistics from the Six Nations tournament, focusing on turnovers, playing time, carries, and meters covered. To ensure fair comparisons, the figures were standardised using the following calculations:

• Turnovers per minute = turnovers lost ÷ minutes played
• Turnovers per 80 minutes = (turnovers lost × 80) ÷ minutes played
• Turnovers per carry = turnovers lost ÷ carries
• Turnovers per meter carried = turnovers lost ÷ meters carried

Players were ranked based on these adjusted figures, with fewer turnovers indicating stronger ball retention and higher carry counts reflecting greater involvement in play. This method allows for a balanced evaluation, ensuring that both high and low-possession players are fairly compared. By focusing on relative turnover rates rather than raw totals, the rankings highlight not just who loses possession but also how efficiently each player contributes to their team’s attack.