England Player Ratings vs France
England failed to rebound from their Calcutta Cup loss, going down 22-16 to France in Paris, with Ireland being crowned Six Nations champions with a round still to go.
Eddie Jones’ side struggled to break down a dogged defensive performance from Les Bleus and looked like a team far, far from their best.
We have broken down each player’s performances and rated their outings from Saturday evening.
- Anthony Watson – 6
Made a couple of scything forays into the back line, as well as looking a threat when the ball was kicked deep. Didn’t see quite enough ball to stamp his name on the 15 jersey and an unfortunate – but warranted – yellow card will mar what was a solid performance at the Stade de France.
- Jonny May – 5
May didn’t see much of the ball in Paris and when he did, there was little incision from the left wing. He popped up late on the opposite wing and finished off a good move from England, but there’s not too much more to write.
- Ben Te’o – 6
Ran hard and straight at the French line and was reliable in defence when called upon. He lacked the gain-line-busting power and lines which made him such a valuable weapon for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand, though.
- Owen Farrell – 6
One of the quietest performances Farrell will have had in any jersey, let alone an England one. He was successful with his two kicks and defended well, but didn’t have much else to do in a very one-dimensional England performance.
- Elliot Daly – 6
Overran Farrell in a first half move that could have ended in a try, but he was generally error-free in a quiet return from injury. Made a neat one-touch offload for a try and successfully kicked one long-range penalty from within England’s own half, and though not decisive today, he will be a welcome weapon in England’s armoury moving forward.
- George Ford – 5
Another quiet performance from Ford, who couldn’t pull the strings and manoeuvre England in the way he has become accustomed to doing over the last two years. Didn’t make any obvious errors, but also didn’t create any moments of attacking opportunity for England.
- Danny Care – 6
A similar story to Care’s recent performances. He’s not doing too much wrong, but he isn’t injecting the tempo he usually does from the bench, nor is he providing the control and contestable box kicks that Ben Youngs does.
- Mako Vunipola – 6
The loosehead had some early success – at least in the eyes of the referee – against vaunted tighthead Rabah Slimani, winning two penalties at the scrum in the first half. He did isolate himself on a couple of pick and goes, though, in a mixed bag of an outing in Paris.
- Jamie George – 5
George hit his jumpers on seven of his eight lineouts but didn’t bring the ability in the loose that everyone knows he is capable of. Knocked on twice when receiving relatively sympathetic passes and has left the door open on Dylan Hartley’s return.
- Dan Cole – 6
Held up well against a powerful French tight five, but couldn’t make the impact in the loose he would have liked. Struggled to clear out the French forwards as efficiently as he would have wanted, as England – as a whole – struggled to generate the quick ball they needed to hurt their hosts with tempo.
- Joe Launchbury – 5
The power and industry Launchbury showed in the opening two games of the championship has been lacking in the two since. He has not been wildly below par, but he has struggled to make the ground on his carries that he did earlier in the tournament and, like Cole, isn’t clearing with the same efficiency on England’s attacking ball.
- Maro Itoje – 6
Itoje has been criticised for his lack of ‘Hollywood moments’ this season, but that’s not what he’s being asked to do by Jones. He is asked to do the arduous work in the tight and he did deliver, more or less, in that area against France. Stole a lineout, cleared out and tackled for 80 minutes.
- Courtney Lawes – 8
An all-action performance from Lawes, with the flanker stealing two French lineouts, charging down a French kick and scything down ball-carriers, including forcing two knock-ons. He also carried strongly, ‘winning’ the collision and keeping England moving forward.
- Chris Robshaw – 7
A real nuggety, industrious performance from Robshaw, who didn’t stop in Paris. Forced a couple of turnovers out of France and was one of the more effective English forwards at attacking rucks.
- Nathan Hughes – 6
Went down with an injury in the 23rd minute and didn’t have too many opportunities to impact the game prior to that.
Replacements
- Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Offered more in the loose than George did, although admittedly against a tired French side. Overthrew a critical, late lineout.
- Joe Marler – 6
A player who arguably warrants a start against Ireland and looked fresh relieving Vunipola in the second half.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7
One of the players to bring real positive impact from the bench with his carrying. He deserves an opportunity to start.
- James Haskell – 6
Offered a more physical carrying option after replacing Launchbury. Tried to hold up a couple of French carriers but struggled to keep them from the ground.
- Sam Simmonds – 5
The No 8 got a solid 60 minutes on the pitch thanks to Hughes’ injury but couldn’t find the space he enjoyed against Italy and, to a lesser degree, Wales.
- Richard Wigglesworth – 6
The late impact role is not one Wigglesworth is built for. Limited opportunity to influence the game.
- Jonathan Joseph – 6
Brought a bit more comfort handling the ball in the English midfield but again, limited opportunities to affect the game.
- Mike Brown – 6
Came on late and didn’t see much of the ball, as the game broke up and England pushed for a late winner.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments