Leicester Tigers’ forward pack have forced their way into Premiership Rugby’s top charts for tackles, carries and turnovers.
Statistics from sport analysts OPTA show Harry Wells among the league’s most physical players, with 131 successful tackles in the 13 rounds of Gallagher Premiership action so far this season.
The 26-year-old has already demonstrated his versatility with starts in the second row, at flanker and packing down at No8.
Club colleague Sione Kalamafoni also makes the top 25 in defence, with 126 tackles in his 11 games during this campaign.
The Tonga international back-rower has made 107 carries, too, putting him ahead of Nizaam Carr (Wasps) and Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs).
Summer signing Nephi Leatigaga has made some important interventions over the ball in a Leicester shirt, but he falls just shy of the top 25 on turnovers – though Wells’ seven successes put him level with Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester), Marco Mama (Worcester Warriors) and Will Skelton (Saracens).
The numbers show a decent return for the Tigers set-piece, too, with four of the club’s big men among the frontrunners for lineouts won.
Hanro Liebenberg is the most-used man in the air, with his 31 lineout wins so far earning him a place in the league’s top 10.
Argentina international Tomás Lavanini is just one place behind, with 30 lineouts won, while Tigers Academy graduates Calum Green and Wells have been picked out 26 and 24 times respectively.
OPTA does not publicly release scrum data.
A total of 25 different players have registered 55 tries in all competitions for Leicester this season, with 11 of those coming from the forward pack.
Club captain Tom Youngs was the first to score a Premiership try in Tigers colours this season – away to Worcester Warriors in Round 1 – but back-rower Jordan Taufua leads the way among the forwards with tries against Exeter Chiefs and at Twickenham against Harlequins.
Fellow flankers Sam Lewis, Tommy Reffell and Guy Thompson have two tries each following scores in European and Cup competition.
Missed our look at the backs’ stats? You can crunch the numbers on the quick men, right here.
