The most popular surnames of international rugby players have been revealed according to data collated by one of the country’s leading sports equipment suppliers.
With the much-anticipated NatWest Six Nations Championship 2018 now under way, award-winning online retailer, Net World Sports, has analysed and ranked the surnames of every Welsh Six Nations rugby player since the Championship formed in 2000 and the most popular surnames in international rugby for all the home nations.
In Wales, ‘Jones’ comes out on top, with players with the surname enjoying a total of 239 caps between them. A close second was ‘Williams’, who equalled ‘Jones’ for number of players with the surname (10), but could only muster up 175 caps.
‘Davies’ and ‘Thomas’ were nearly tied for the 3rd and 4th spots; ‘Davies’ kicking ‘Thomas’ off the park by a mere 4 caps.
The wooden spoon was awarded to ‘Robinson’ who would finish at the foot of the Net World Sports table, receiving a total of only 5 caps split between 2 players.
Figure 1. The Most Popular Welsh Surnames In 6 Nations History
As well as analysing the surnames of Welsh Six Nation rugby players, the sports firm, which supplies a comprehensive range of rugby tackle pads, posts, balls and training equipment, also analysed the most popular surnames in international rugby for all the home nations.
In Scotland, ‘Smith’ gains the most possession enjoying a total of 250 caps shared between 15 players. Close to charging down the Scottish top spot was ‘Brown’ who boasted an impressive 196 caps, again, shared between 14 players.
Towards the rear of the field, ‘Ross’, ‘Stewart’ and ‘Campbell’ make up the final trio of the table scoring 63,60 and 87 caps respectively.
Figure 2. The Most Popular Scottish Surnames In International Rugby
Across the border and into England, ‘Wilson’ charges across the gain line with 10 players championing 65 caps between them.
Providing support to the red rose campaign is ‘Smith’ and ‘Taylor’ who each share 60 caps from 10 and 9 players respectively.
Tied from the middle of the field down are ‘Young, ‘Wood’, ‘Roberts’, ‘Wright’ and ‘Turner’ all of whom share 7 players with a total of 153, 61, 54, 24 and 18 caps respectively.
Figure 3. The Most Popular English Surnames In International Rugby
Across the North Sea and into Ireland, ‘Wallace’ takes dominance in the surname scrum boasting 207 caps shared between 11 players.
‘Murphy’ and ‘Brown’ tally up a close second, again enjoying 11 players, but falling short with only 173 and 34 caps respectively.
Firmly in the second row of the table are a ‘McGrath’, ‘Ross’ and ‘O’Connor’ trio each tied with 7 players and a total of 218 caps between them.
Figure 4. The Most Popular Irish Surnames In International Rugby
Founded in 2009, Net World Sports is a fast-growing online sports equipment retailer supplying an expanding range of quality products to customers worldwide. Headquartered at a 120,000 square foot base in Wrexham, North Wales, the company is currently ranked as the 2nd fastest-growing privately-owned business in Wales (45th in the UK) by the prestigious Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 list, 43rd on the Sunday Times Lloyds SME Export Track 100 of firms with the fastest-growing international sales, and 66th on the Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 list of companies with the fastest-growing profits.
It was awarded the ‘International Trading Business of the Year’ crown at the inaugural North Wales Business Leaders Awards 2017 while it was also a finalist in the 2016 National Business Awards.
Led by a dynamic and passionate team, Net World Sports has become renowned for its winning combination of quality products, unbeatable value for money, exceptional customer service, and rapid distribution, with next day delivery available on virtually all UK orders, 1-day shipping to the USA, and 2-day shipping to Australia and New Zealand.
For further information visit www.networldsports.co.uk or contact (01691) 683807.