Earls Overhauls Hickie To Set New Mark For Most Tries In A Season

However, Denis Hickie does still hold the upper hand in terms of tries scored in a calendar year. He had a memorable 2003, running in 9 tries in 11 starts. Brian O’Driscoll (2000 and 2002), Tommy Bowe (2012) and Keith Earls (2017) set yearly bests of seven tries each.

Earls (26 tries) is closing in on Hickie (29) on Ireland’s list of record try scorers. Fellow winger Bowe remains second on 30 with 2009 Grand Slam-winning captain O’Driscoll still well out in front on 46.

As modest as ever, when informed of his new record for the highest amount of tries in a season, the Moyross man said: “Yeah, it’s good. But it’s more important that we got the win here with a young team. The Japanese, they’re coming up, they’ve got some unbelievable players and they’re going to be strong in the future.

“I don’t take the individual stuff as counting. It’s about winning with this group of young lads which is a better feeling more than (individual) records.”

IRELAND’S ALL-TIME TOP TRY SCORERS IN AN INTERNATIONAL SEASON:

9 TRIES

Keith Earls (2016/17) – 9 tries/9 starts (1 v Canada, 1 v Australia, 1 v Scotland, 2 v Italy, 2 v USA, 2 v Japan)

8 TRIES

Denis Hickie (2003/04) – 8 tries/6 starts (4 v Italy, 1 v Scotland, 2 v Romania, 1 v Namibia)

7 TRIES

Keith Wood (1999/00) – 7 tries/12 starts/1 rep (1 v Argentina, 4 v USA, 1 v Scotland, 1 v Italy)

Brian O’Driscoll (2003/04) – 7 tries/14 starts (1 v Australia, 2 v France, 2 v Wales, 1 v Italy, 1 v South Africa)

Tommy Bowe (2011/12) – 7 tries/9 starts (2 v USA, 1 v Wales, 2 v Italy, 2 v France)

6 TRIES

Keith Crossan (1986/87) – 6 tries/9 starts (3 v Romania, 1 v England, 2 v Canada)

Brian O’Driscoll (1999/00) – 6 tries/10 starts (1 v USA, 1 v Scotland, 1 v Italy, 3 v France)

Keith Earls (2011/12) – 6 tries/14 starts (2 v Russia, 2 v Italy, 1 v Wales, 1 v Italy)