How has Prem Rugby's entertainment value changed recently?

Recent seasons have shown a decrease in close scorelines, though try-scoring has reached an all-time high.

Which teams played a recent nine-try thriller?

Bath played Exeter in a recent nine-try match that was decided in the final minute.

What are Prem Rugby's key entertainment metrics?

Prem Rugby measures entertainment through scoreline closeness, number of tries, and variety of title winners.

Home / Sports / Tries Up, Closeness Down: Prem Rugby's Entertainment Dilemma

Tries Up, Closeness Down: Prem Rugby's Entertainment Dilemma

5 Jan

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Summary

Prem Rugby's entertainment metrics show a recent decline in close games.
Last season saw an all-time high of eight tries per game.
Bath secured a dramatic win with a nine-try game decided in the final minute.

Tries Up, Closeness Down: Prem Rugby's Entertainment Dilemma

Prem Rugby's annual salary cap report highlights a decline in its entertainment value compared to other competitions. Analysis of scoreline closeness and try counts indicates a dip in recent years. In the 2021-22 season, 46% of matches were decided by seven points or fewer.

Last season, however, a record eight tries were scored per game, but with fewer closely contested matches. Less than 32% of games concluded within a seven-point difference. This past weekend, three out of five matches met this closer metric.

Despite the overall trend, a recent match between Bath and Exeter delivered exceptional drama. Bath's victory, achieved through a nine-try game decided in the final minute, exemplified the thrilling potential of rugby. This particular match offered a stark contrast to the league's recent statistical performance.