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England A player ratings vs Spain | Quilter Nations Series 2025
By Josh Raisey
England A player ratings: England A pulled off a late heist in Valladolid on Saturday, scoring 14 points in the final six minutes to defeat Spain 29-25.
This was quite a challenge for the visitors, who only led for eight minutes compared to Spain’s 67, but that is exactly what head coach Mark Mapletoft and England senior head coach Steve Borthwick would have wanted.
But with Maro Itoje’s side flying high at the moment, it will be hard to break into the senior squad, which means some real standout performances in wet conditions in northern Spain were required.
Some did deliver the kind of displays that would have made Borthwick take note and enter his considerations heading into the Six Nations next year.
Here’s how the players rated:
15. Josh Hodge – 7
Off the back of a marvellous try against the All Blacks XV last week, the Exeter Chief frequently tested Spain from deep. Was given his share of bombs throughout the match in tricky conditions, which he handled for the most part.
14. Noah Caluori – 7
The 19-year-old reminded us that his strengths aren’t just his aerial ability (which he wasn’t actually at his imperial best), with a long run to set up George Hendy’s chalked off try. Scored the opener himself when Spain failed to control his chip and chase. His high ball skills did come to the fore off a late restart, winning a penalty after retrieving a kick.
13. Angus Hall – 6
Starved of the ball for much of the match, given the weather. Didn’t put a foot wrong, but had limited exposure.
12. Rekeiti Ma’asi-White – 6
Also had a quiet game in the midfield, with little required of him either side of the ball.
11. George Hendy – 8
Scored a disallowed try, and took his official try very well, scoring the type of try Borthwick would love by collecting a box kick in the Spain 22. Looked threatening when given the ball.
10. Charlie Atkinson – 7
Wasn’t a game to show off his attacking credentials, but rather to win the territorial battle, which England did. Then again, the only capped member in the squad stood up when needed with a pinpoint cross-kick into the corner for Ben Redshaw’s match-winner.
9. Caolan Englefield – 6
Only managed 20 minutes, but had some significant moments in defence. Held up No.8 Raphael Nieto over the line, but was also run over by Martiniano Cian for Samuel Ezeala’s disallowed first-half try.
1. Emmanuel Iyogun – 5.5
Up against a Top 14 champion in Joel Merkler, the Northampton Saints loosehead struggled at times in the scrum. Otherwise, he was productive in the loose.
2. Nathan Jibulu – 5
Yellow carded for a dangerous clear out, and that wasn’t the only time he fell foul of referee Morgan White’s whistle. Dependable at the lineout though there were some wobbly throws, but is capable of making more of an impact with his carries.
3. Afolabi Fasogbon – 6
May have left the field thinking he could have done more, given what we’ve seen in the Gallagher PREM this season. Not necessarily a bad display, but he wasn’t at his destructive best at the scrum or carrying.
4. Olamide Sodeke – 8
Got through a lot of work in defence, putting in 12 tackles. A strong shift in a department the senior side are slightly threadbare in.
5. Ben Bamber – 8.5
Hit hard, and hit often, with a match-leading 13 tackles, which is exactly what any coach would want from a 126kg lock. England’s most reliable lineout option, and he got his hands on the ball. Mapletoft and Borthwick would have been delighted with the display.
6. Nathan Michelow – 6
A lot to like about the Saracen’s defensive contribution, but his discipline was a slight issue, with a yellow card in the first half.
7. Fitz Harding – 7
A captain’s shift, doing a lot of the unseen work, hitting many rucks in both attack and defence, helping England play with a good tempo.
8. Greg Fisilau – 8
The pick of the back-rows, the Exeter star took on the ball-carrying responsibilities, making a match-leading 13 carries, with a good return on those carries too.
Replacements
16. Kepu Tuipulotu – 7.5
Kickstarted the late comeback with his try, showing his power to swat away Estanislao Bay’s attempt to stop him.
17. Tarek Haffar – 6
Kept largely quiet during his 20 minutes on the field. Didn’t have a chance to challenge the Spanish scrum.
18. Vilikesa Sela – 6.5
There were few scrums in the final 30 minutes, but the rising Bath star contributed well defensively.
19. Joe Owen – 6
Had 15 minutes at the end, but with nothing to write home about.
20. Ewan Richards – N/A
Only given a handful of minutes at the end.
21. Archie McParland – 7
Played the majority of the match at scrum-half following Englefield’s injury. Found himself defending out wide early in the second half and barely laid a finger on Cian as Spain scored their opening try. Responded with a perfectly-weighted box kick for his Saints team-mate Hendy to chase and score.
22. Joseph Woodward – 6.5
Brought a new dimension to his predecessor, Ma’asi-White, and got involved in the action more than the Sale Shark did too.
23. Ben Redshaw – 7
His cameo at the end was short, but he did score the match-winning try, collecting a cross-kick to score in the corner.
