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Ten players that never scored an international rugby try despite 60+ caps

(Photo by Pablo Morano/MB Media/Getty Images)

The longer a player’s rugby career is, the chances are that they will somehow manage to score a try at some point. Whether it is a pick and go, a crash ball from close range or simply being in the right place at the right time to drop over the line, tries do not need to be scored from 50 metres out and neither do they have to be pretty.

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But five-pointers have somehow eluded a select group with over 60 Test rugby caps for their country – unsurprisingly, props and locks dominate the zero try list.

Mike Ross
Although he was a member of a successful Ireland side that won the Six Nations in 2014 and 2015, the 61-cap former tighthead is his country’s most capped player to never cross the whitewash.

Video Spacer

Ireland’s Johnny Sexton explains why he reacted the way he did when he was subbed off against France

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Ireland’s Johnny Sexton explains why he reacted the way he did when he was subbed off against France

Jean Condom
The France and Biarritz lock during the 1980s is the first of many second-rows to appear on this list.

Allan Jacobsen
A try in a non-cap Barbarians match in 2005 meant he did actually score in a Scotland shirt during his ten-year, 65-cap Scottish career, but he never managed one in an official Test fixture.

Paul James
As a player who was more renowned for his insuperable scrummaging than anything else, Wales’ 66-cap loosehead was never on the scoresheet in red.

Bradley Davies
Being a hard-running forward that suited Warren Gatland’s direct and physical style of rugby, it is surprising that the Ospreys lock has never scored in his 66-cap career.

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Quintin Geldenhuys
Italy have not necessarily been famed for blowing their opponents away with tries in victory or defeat, and that is perhaps why the 67-cap second row never managed one himself.

Joe Marler
The loosehead may have never managed a five-pointer for England over the course of his 71 caps, but it is still within his power to change that as he is still part of Eddie Jones’ current squad (for reconditioning).

Luke Charteris
The 6ft 9ins lock was of course famed for dominating the lineout during his 74-cap Wales career, but his inability to cross the line may shock some.

Salvatore Perugini
Another Italian high up in this list, which is perhaps understandable coming from a lower ranked tier one nation, the former loosehead previously held the record for the most caps, 83, without amassing any points.

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Owen Franks
Despite playing 108 Tests for the All Blacks, winning two World Cups and being part of one of the most free-scoring sides in rugby history, he remarkably never scored a try. Although tighthead props are not necessarily famed for their try-scoring prowess, it is surprising nonetheless seeing as his long standing front row partner Tony Woodcock even bagged a try in the 2011 RWC final.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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