United Rugby Championship

Stat Attack! With Eight Rounds In The Books Here Are The URC's Stat Leaders

Stat Attack! With Eight Rounds In The Books Here Are The URC's Stat Leaders

Explore the top performers in the URC after 8 rounds, from Prisciantelli’s carries to Farrell’s tries, plus key stats on metres gained, tackles, and more

Dec 23, 2024 by Philip Bendon
Stat Attack! With Eight Rounds In The Books Here Are The URC's Stat Leaders

The United Rugby Championship has hit the ground running through eight rounds of action, with big names and rising stars showcasing their dominance across the league. The stats tell the story of who’s making the biggest impact in key areas.

Carrying the Load

Geronimo Prisciantelli is emerging as Zebre Parma’s workhorse, leading the URC with an incredible 136 carries. His ability to stay involved in the action is unmatched, but Morgan Morris of the Ospreys is giving him a run for his money with 126 carries. Both players are the engines driving their teams forward in every game.


The metre-makers are equally impressive, and it’s Prisciantelli again at the top of the list. His 487 metres gained are a testament to his all-around offensive contributions. Munster fullback Mike Haley sits just behind him with 481 metres, while Edinburgh wing Duhan van der Merwe (450 metres) continues to prove why he’s one of the most feared runners in rugby.

The Playmakers

When it comes to setting up the play, nobody is doing it better than Gareth Davies of Scarlets. With 464 passes already in the books, he’s the heartbeat of Scarlets’ attack. Aled Davies of Cardiff Rugby is another standout distributor with 324 passes, showing Cardiff’s reliance on their scrumhalf to keep the tempo high.

Offloads are where creativity shines, and Leinster lock RG Snyman is at the forefront with 17 offloads—a surprising leader from the second row. Munster’s Tom Farrell has been just as inventive with 15 offloads, ensuring Munster’s attacking phases stay alive longer than most.

The Finishers

Munster’s Tom Farrell has been the go-to finisher this season, notching an eye-popping 37 tries in just eight rounds. Edinburgh’s Duhan van der Merwe (29 tries) and Sharks centre Andre Esterhuizen (28 tries) are both making life miserable for opposing defences. All three have a knack for finding the line in any situation.

Tom Farrell 3rd Try | Ulster vs Munster

Line breaks are another story, with Vodacom Bulls wing Canan Moodie leading the pack with 12, tied with Van der Merwe and Zebre’s Simone Gesi. These players are slicing through defences like hot knives through butter, creating scoring chances in almost every game.

The Defensive Wall

On the defensive side, Cardiff’s Teddy Williams has been a tackling machine, racking up a league-high 129 tackles. Scarlets’ Josh Macleod (120 tackles) and Munster’s Gavin Coombes (116 tackles) round out the top three, proving invaluable for their teams’ defensive efforts.

In terms of turnovers, Scarlets’ Taine Plumtree is a constant thorn in opponents’ sides, leading the league with 12 turnovers won. Cardiff’s Dan Thomas (11 turnovers) and Benetton’s Manuel Zuliani (10 turnovers) are also making their presence felt at the breakdown.

Breaking Through

Prisciantelli’s 156 gainline carries are unrivalled, reinforcing just how pivotal he’s been for Zebre Parma. Scarlets’ Ioan Lloyd has been just as impactful with 396 gainline metres, showcasing his ability to put defenders on their heels. Zebre’s Simone Gesi (371 gainline metres) isn’t far behind, adding another dimension to his team’s attack.

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Lloyd also leads the league in defenders beaten with 60, proving nearly impossible to contain. Glasgow’s Jack Dempsey (59 defenders beaten) and Munster’s Tom Farrell (57) highlight how individual brilliance can create opportunities out of nothing.

Specialists on the Rise

Hookers and halfbacks are making their mark as well, with Glasgow’s Johnny Matthews leading in tries scored by forwards with 7. Meanwhile, Scarlets’ Gareth Davies (89 passes completed per game on average) is not just a distributor but an all-around playmaker, with Embrose Papier of the Bulls also chipping in as a consistent contributor.

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The numbers speak for themselves, and while team success remains the ultimate goal, these individual performances are lighting up the competition. As we head into the next rounds, expect these names to continue rewriting the stat sheets.

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