Vereniki Goneva made more metres than any other player in the opening round of this season's Champions Cup, according to statisics from Opta.The Leicester Tigers wing made 131 metres in Friday’s 33-20 victory over Stade Francais at Welford Road, 10 metres more than second-placed Dan Evans of the Ospreys.
Goneva, who scored Tigers’ first try of the night against Top 14 champions Stade, also beat seven defenders during the game, second only to Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs. Goneva’s Tigers teammate Owen Williams beat five defenders during the game, putting him joint sixth in the Opta stats after Round One.
The try was Goneva’s 30th in Tigers colours, putting him alongside Jordan Crane as the leading scorer in the current squad. Matt Smith is third with 28 tries for Tigers, Ben Youngs has 27 and Tom Croft has 26.
Brendon O’Connor, who made his Tigers debut in the game, won four turnovers, more than any other player. Smith and Mike Williams won two turnovers each, putting them joint fifth in the Opta stats after Round One.
Mike Fitzgerald won six lineouts, with only four players across Round One winning more. Interestingly, Stade Francais lock Paul Gabrillagues completed 18 tackles in the game, a figure which was beaten only by Dan Lydiate (21 tackles) and James King (20 tackles) of the Ospreys against Exeter.
News
Opta stats put Niki out in front
18 November 2015 1:03 PM

Share this article
More news
Articles
Opta stats put Niki out in front
18 November 2015 1:03 PM
Game Plan | A Sunday afternoon with Saracens
24 March 2025 2:30 PM
Season Tickets 25/26 | Play Your Part
3 March 2025 2:00 PM
Trio of Tigers retained for Scotland's second Six Nations match
27 March 2025 12:00 PM
International Round-Up | Pack power helps Tigers to winning starts
24 March 2025 9:30 AM
SUNDAY SHOWDOWN
Renewed: Ilione pens new deal with Tigers
25 March 2025 1:18 PM
Renewed: Tommy Reffell re-signs with Leicester Tigers
25 March 2025 1:29 PM
Renewed: Tigers retain towering lock Tom Manz
25 March 2025 1:06 PM
TigersLotto | Have you won?
26 March 2025 4:00 PM
Players, Partners and supporters enjoy Golf Day
26 March 2025 4:00 PM