England player ratings vs Georgia - Autumn Nations Cup
England got their Autumn Nations Cup up and running on Saturday afternoon with a comprehensive 40-0 win over Georgia, putting themselves in a strong position to make a run at the title over the coming weeks.
Although England’s defence was excellent and they were able to exert consistent pressure on Georgia territorially and at the set-piece, their attack away from the forwards, in admittedly testing conditions, just denied them the truly emphatic win that they would have been hoping for.
Nevertheless, it was a case of job done for Eddie Jones and his charges at Twickenham and far more one-sided than Scotland’s competitive game against Italy earlier in the day. We have run the rule over the England players below.
Elliot Daly – 6
The full-back didn’t make any errors in defence and was solid at the back, though his final pass and short kicking game couldn’t quite unlock the Georgian defence in the way he is often capable of. He took his try well and will be keen to build into the autumn next week.
Jonathan Joseph – 7
Joseph’s value on the wing was the comfort he had coming off of it and bringing incision to the midfield, as well his ability to chase and compete for kicks. One of his breaks brought about Daly’s try and wrapped up the bonus point for England. Unfortunately, he left the pitch with an injury just before half time after flashing signs of his impact as a winger.
Ollie Lawrence – 6
Lawrence showed good hands, defensive reads and the speed to pressure the attack in his first start, although opportunities to impact the game offensively as a ball-carrier were limited as England kept the ball tight.
Henry Slade – 6
After a rusty start where a couple of his passes were off the mark, the European and domestic double-winner settled into the game and his distribution began to hurt Georgia, not least so with composed play on the gain-line for Daly’s try. The centre also made a number of dominant defensive tackles.
Jonny May – 6
Without making many or even any errors, May wasn’t as influential as he often is for England. He couldn’t quite win a couple of the contested aerial balls that he usually thrives on and his chances with ball in hand in space were limited. Where he did make some gains were in coming off of his wing and running at the more congested areas of the defence.
Owen Farrell – 6
It wasn’t a game for the back line to thrive, though Farrell didn’t quite have it ticking along as smoothly as he would have liked. As with Daly and May, it was a relatively clean performance from the fly-half, who made five of his six kicks, without being the masterful puppeteering outing that he regularly turns in.
Ben Youngs – 6
Some good, competable box-kicks from Youngs, in addition to a few incisive short kicks that found space or a chaser. It was a forward-led performance in testing conditions, limiting the impact the scrum-half had in facilitating the back line.
Ellis Genge – 6
A solid set-piece foil to Will Stuart, Genge certainly held his own against the powerful Georgian tight five. He was busy in the loose as a ball-carrier and providing quick and clean ball at the breakdown, without being as dominant as he has the capability to be.
Jamie George – 9
The hooker spearheaded England’s impressive set-piece and connected on all 17 of his line outs, including many of which were made in heavy rain. He was rewarded with three tries, all of which came off the back of mauls. He popped up in the loose with a couple of key carries and passes, too.
Will Stuart – 7
In just his first international start, Stuart largely prospered at the scrum against the vastly more experienced Mikheil Nariashvili. His body height and power was too much for the Georgian at times, as Stuart turned the screw at the set-piece.
Charlie Ewels – 8
A very impressive showing from Ewels, who went a long way to filling the boots of George Kruis at Twickenham. He was the favoured lineout target, successfully taking seven throws from George, and his physicality in defence helped England repel Georgia at the gain-line, as well as being impactful at the counter-maul. The only blemish was a spill on the carry.
Joe Launchbury – 7
A typically industrious performance from Launchbury who was influential as a lineout target, bringing pressure in the defensive line and on both sides of the ball at the breakdown.
Maro Itoje – 7
Itoje was consistently harassing in defence, including the pressure he put on the Georgian scrum-halves, legal interference at the lineout and disruption at defensive mauls. He was on hand as a carrier, too, with the game understanding to always be in the right place at the right time.
Jack Willis – 7
The much-hyped openside caught the eye early with the quantity and quality of his carrying, something which culminated in his debut try and England’s first in the game. He also grabbed himself a jackal in the first half in what was a solid introduction to Test rugby for the back rower.
Billy Vunipola – 6
A couple of strong carries off the base of the scrum aside, it was a more defensive-orientated showing from Vunipola, who brought plenty of physicality in the tackle with neither Tom Curry or Sam Underhill in the starting XV. Typically reliable on the kick receipt, too.
Replacements
Tom Dunn – 7
Dunn maintained George’s 100% record at the lineout and stepped up with a couple of strong carries and tackles in a good cameo.
Mako Vunipola – 6
Vunipola kept England fluctuating from parity to advantage at the scrum, although he had limited impact in the loose after arriving for Genge.
Kyle Sinckler – 6
The tighthead continued England’s advantage at the set-piece after replacing Stuart in the second half.
Ben Earl – 6
There were glimpses of Earl’s speed and ability in the loose, though weather conditions meant that England kept the ball relatively tight during the final quarter of the game.
Tom Curry – 6
There wasn’t too much for Curry to do after arriving in the back row, though that did not stop him from putting in a couple of powerful tackles.
Dan Robson – 7
Robson brought an increase in tempo to England with the swiftness of his distribution from the ruck and then capitalised on the Georgian defence biting on his passes with a dummy and dive for the try line in the final quarter.
Max Malins – 6
Very limited opportunities for Malins to influence the game when he came on in the centres.
Joe Marchant – 6
England’s lack of width and desire to play the ball in the second half downpour limited what Marchant was able to do, but the centre by trade did look at home on the wing defensively and with his ability to chase and pressure kicks.
The revealing physical toll beating Georgia took on England #ENGvGEO #AutumnNationsCup https://t.co/2oUFJZd8Kd
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 14, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments