England player ratings - vs France
England and Eddie Jones’ 2019 redemption took another big step forward on Sunday as they cantered to a 44-8 victory over France at Twickenham in the Guinness Six Nations.
Le Crunch was a one-sided affair, as England sped into an early lead and didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal until around the 60th minute, when the result had become a foregone conclusion. They now prepare for a tense clash in Cardiff in two weeks’ time, with both they and Wales gunning for a Grand Slam in this year’s competition.
We have rated all 23 of England’s performers below.
- Elliot Daly – 7
A bright start, spotting the space on the transition, weaving his way through the French defence and putting through a kick for Jonny May to chase and score his first try. Counter-attacked nicely on a couple of French kicks which outstretched their chase, but slipped out of the game a little as it went on and England took their foot off the gas.
- Chris Ashton – 7
The wing chased as effectively as Jack Nowell did a week before him, including a ball he was able to tap back for England to retain possession. A smart kick through set up May for his third try and he came close to opening his own account on a couple of occasions. England had so much joy going to the left wing that Ashton was relatively unused on the right.
- Henry Slade – 8
A strong aerial display from the outside centre, who took a number of contested balls, as well as winning back English kicks, including in the build-up to May’s third try. He took his try well, stepping back inside and beating the would-be tackler. He did get caught out shooting up trying to close down the play in the build-up to Damian Penaud’s opening try, but it was otherwise a solid defensive showing, as illustrated by his intercept in the second half that led to a penalty try.
- Manu Tuilagi – 7
A couple of handling and passing errors aside, Tuilagi went well as an attacking force. He straightened the line well, popped up on Owen Farrell’s shoulder a number of times and was valuable as a solo tackler, in particular his cover defence in the first half, which saved England from a probable French try.
- Jonny May – 9
Ripped off a first half hat-trick, two of which came from kicks in behind Penaud, whilst the other was from an Owen Farrell miss-pass, as he stepped inside of his opposite number. He chased energetically, too, helping making England’s kicking game a success and the one blemish on his game was being brushed off by Yoann Huget in the build-up to Penaud’s first half try. For the second week in a row, dominated the aerial contest.
- Owen Farrell – 8
The deft touches on the gain-lines, with pops, offloads and cutback passes, mixed with his array of wider and miss-passes, allowed Farrell to successfully orchestrate England’s win. His kicking game from hand was effective, constantly moving the French back three around and manipulating the space, whilst he also popped up with 17 points. Fully deserved his second half try.
- Ben Youngs – 7
Not quite the masterclass he put on in Dublin, with he and his chase just a little off that level of synergy, but he targeted Huget to good effect in the first half. A clever switch of play preceded May’s second try of the game, whilst his tempo and distribution was conducive to England’s success at Twickenham.
- Mako Vunipola – 8
A busy first half in the loose was further emphasised by a growing dominance at the set-piece, after some early parity between he and Demba Bamba. An apparent injury saw him leave the field early in the second half.
- Jamie George – 7
Just one lineout went astray for the hooker, with his other seven throws all going cleanly to their targets. His carrying was strong around the fringes and he was a mobile defender in the wider channels.
- Kyle Sinckler – 8
A trademark influential performance in the loose from Sinckler, who was another playmaker in the England XV. His soft hands and good distribution game allowed England to shift the point of contact effectively, whilst he came in at scrum-half and got the ball out quickly and accurately for Slade’s score late in the first half.
- Courtney Lawes – 9
A dominant, all-round performance that went a long way to filling the boots of Maro Itoje. The lock’s line-speed was excellent, he made dominant tackles and he was a force carrying, bringing consistent gain-line breaks. He was effective at the lineout, too, proving valuable on attack, as well as stealing two French throws and putting pressure on hooker Guilhem Guirado. His second half scything down of Mathieu Bastareaud was representative of his monumental performance.
- George Kruis – 6
Kruis carried strongly against France and offered himself as an attacking option at the lineout. He was busy around the fringes as a defender and contributed to quick attacking ball at the contact.
- Mark Wilson – 7
Another industrious display from Wilson, who was busy doing the less glamorous work at Twickenham. He was influential as a kick chaser, helped shepherd England’s back three in the kicking game and, just as he did in Dublin, went to work at the contact area, slowing down opposition ball.
- Tom Curry – 8
Not quite as clean a display as a week before in Dublin, with the flanker earning the ire of Nigel Owens on a few occasions, but he did bring impressive line-speed in defence, frequently hunting down France’s first receiver, as well as slowing down the ball at the contact area. Noticeably stepped up as a more prominent carrier.
- Billy Vunipola – 7
A second dominant tackling display in as many weeks for Vunipola, who was not required to put England on his back and carry them to victory due to the presence of so many other effective ball-carriers in the XV. He did pop up with a number of powerful punches through the French line, however.
Replacements
Missed his first lineout after coming off the bench but followed it up with two successful throws and a strong defensive display.
- Ben Moon – 6
Contributed to a well-functioning set-piece after arriving but didn’t have too much opportunity to influence the game in the loose.
- Dan Cole – 6
Folded up Jefferson Poirot in his first scrum after replacing Sinckler and looked as if he hadn’t missed a beat in international rugby.
- Joe Launchbury – 6
Bounced back from a knock-on soon after arriving to deliver some powerful tackles in the loose, including soaking up French pressure around the fringes.
- Nathan Hughes – 6
Some good control at the base of the scrum and a couple of big tackles.
- Dan Robson – 6
An effective kick chase that won England a late penalty. A promising cameo.
- George Ford – 6
Didn’t have too much opportunity to influence the game, with England have won the game before he arrived and taken their foot off the gas. Chased back well to prevent a late French try.
- Jack Nowell – 6
Continued on from where he left off in Dublin, chasing effectively and harrying the French back three.
Watch: Scotland coach Gregor Townsend dissects the loss to Ireland on Saturday
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on the @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments