Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

England player ratings vs Ireland

By Alex Shaw
Maro Itoje grabbed a deserved try at Twickenham, after excelling at the set-piece. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Having named their strongest line-up yet in the 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up games, England were rewarded with a 57-15 victory over a strong Ireland side.

ADVERTISEMENT

Eddie Jones will be extremely pleased by what he saw from his side at Twickenham, as they comprehensively beat Ireland in all facets on Saturday afternoon.

We have run the rule over all 23 of England’s players and rated their performances in an extremely encouraging outing.

  1. Elliot Daly7

Provided a sharp pass for Joe Cokanasiga’s early try and was generally more of a counter-attacking threat than he had been able to be against Wales. Ireland weren’t able to test him in the air as much as Wales did and his tactical kicking from deep was a valuable territorial weapon for England. Beaten on the outside late by Bundee Aki, a moment which he’ll want back.

  1. Joe Cokanasiga8

Similar to Daly, Ireland weren’t able to move Cokanasiga around and try to exploit him with their kicking game. He kept his depth and width well for his first half try and his defensive reads were good, as he kept Jacob Stockdale relatively quiet. Continued to come off his wing looking for work and grabbed his second try of the game by bursting through the midfield.

https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1165287575524913154?s=20

  1. Manu Tuilagi8.5

A very encouraging display from Tuilagi back in his previous position of outside centre. His decoy line helped create Cokanasiga’s try, a powerful carry set up Daly’s score and then he displayed a good step for his own try. His strength and leg drives in the carry were difficult for Ireland to contain and he even pitched in with a turnover.

  1. Owen Farrell7

A lot of England’s early success came from George Ford’s play on the gain-line, although Farrell stepped up as a first receiver in the second half. He connected with six of his seven kicks and his kicking from hand was incisive and effective.

  1. Jonny May8

The Leicester wing performed well on his return to the starting back three, chasing industriously and effectively throughout. His work off the wing laid the groundwork for Cokanasiga’s first try and his elusive footwork hurt Ireland. Impressed defensively and with his one-on-one tackling, too.

  1. George Ford8

Ford excelled with his play on the gain-line in the first half, with his bravery and late play paving the way for the two opening tries. He looked comfortable with Farrell outside of him, as well as playing off of the significant impact that Tuilagi offered.

  1. Ben Youngs5.5

The scrum-half started well with contestable box-kicks and kicks into space, although he lost his radar somewhat as the game went on. A few errant passes mixed in with effective play on the gain-line made it far from one of Youngs’ better games in an England jersey.

  1. Joe Marler8

There are few tougher challenges than Tadhg Furlong, although Marler stood up well to him at the set-piece on his first start since coming out of international retirement, even managing to get an edge on the Irishman in a couple of contests. He helped provide quick ball for England with good clearing work at the ruck.

  1. Jamie George7.5

George connected with all nine of his lineouts, although the first couple were pressured by Irish jumpers. He was industrious in the loose and contributed significantly to England’s continuity, with strong carries close to the ruck and clearing work at the breakdown.

  1. Kyle Sinckler8

After coming under pressure in the first scrum of the game from Cian Healy, Sinckler delivered at least parity for the rest of the contest. He carried well, supported line-breaks and his soft hands and playmaking skills unleashed Sam Underhill for a break and the subsequent assist to Tom Curry.

https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1165285306008002560?s=20

  1. Maro Itoje9

A monstrous showing from the lock, who was on hand to take five of England’s lineouts and managed to steal or disrupt three of the Irish throws. He won a turnover, sacked a rumbling Irish maul and was effective hunting down Ireland’s first receivers. Carried well, too, and capped his display with a deserved try in the second half.

  1. George Kruis7

Kruis came under pressure at the first couple of lineouts, losing the first as he was ripped in the maul. He grew into the game, though, with his defensive communication key and he grabbed a lineout steal as England preyed on the Irish set-piece.

  1. Tom Curry8

Couldn’t quite dislodge Irish jackals on a couple of occasions, but it was a solid overall performance. Curry stepped up as a carrier, as well as making a precise pass for Daly’s first half try. Offered a third lineout option in the second half, as England expanded their set-piece repertoire, and secured a try, trailing Underhill’s break.

  1. Sam Underhill7.5

Although he wore seven on his back, Underhill took on more of the traditional roles of the blindside, effectively executing the chop tackle throughout the game. He snaffled a turnover in the second half, though, and began to impose himself in attack.

  1. Billy Vunipola7.5

Not the cleanest attacking performance, with the number eight isolating himself on a couple of occasions and coughing up turnovers, despite still providing front-foot ball. He forced a penalty out of Ireland at the breakdown, though, and made several dominant tackles, as he showed his value on defence.

Replacements

  1. Luke Cowan-Dickie6.5

No drop-off from England’s set-piece and loose work when Cowan-Dickie arrived, as the Exeter man connected with all four his lineouts and stole a late try from an errant Irish throw.

https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1165291193548365825?s=20

  1. Mako Vunipolan/a

Unfortunately had to leave the field after coming on as a replacement, walking gingerly to the sideline.

  1. Dan Cole6

Kept up England’s impressive set-piece showing and was powerful at the contact area.

  1. Courtney Lawes6.5

Lawes was successfully targeted twice at the lineout following his introduction, as well as carrying and tackling with his typical strength.

  1. Mark Wilson6

Solid off the bench and helped England cruise over the finish line.

  1. Willi Heinz7

Heinz delivered some contestable box-kicks and sharp passing from the breakdown after replacing Youngs.

  1. Piers Francisn/a

Came on too late to have an impact on the game.

  1. Joe Marchantn/a

Came on too late to have an impact on the game.

ADVERTISEMENT

Watch: Rugby World Cup city guide – Kumamoto

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah Why the All Blacks are serious about giving Sam Whitelock one last hurrah
Search