Below we list the four fastest hat-tricks in the history of the Championship…
4. Vincent Clerc – a 22-minute hat-trick vs Ireland in Paris, 2008
The only man to score a first-half hat-trick in the history of the competition, Vincent Clerc is also the only man on this list of the four fastest trebles to have done it against Ireland.
A natural finisher, Clerc was at his predatory best in the Stade de France in the second round of games in 2008.
Jean-Baptiste Elissalde’s perfect kick deep into the left corner released Clerc who comfortably beat Denis Leamy in a foot race to score his first.
His second was made by David Skrela , the fly-half breaking the line down the short side and releasing his winger for a simple run-in.
And his third was similar to his second, this time Cedric Heymans bursting through and feeding Clerc to send the Stade de France crowd into raptures – although they had to hold off an Ireland second-half fightback to secure the victory.