England player ratings - vs Ireland
The odds were upset at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as England defeated reigning Grand Slam champions Ireland, 32-20, in Dublin.
England made a fast start to the game, crossing the whitewash within 90 seconds, before exerting further pressure later in the half and taking a 17-10 lead into the interval. The second half was a tense and tight affair, before England were able to kick on, showing plenty of composure and clinically taking the opportunities they were creating.
We have rated all 23 of England’s players from their impressive Guinness Six Nations opener.
- Elliot Daly – 7
The full-back impressed with his work in the wider channels, linking play well and assisting Jonny May for the opening score of the game. He replicated it later in the game, kicking through for Jack Nowell to pressure Jacob Stockdale, which allowed Daly to dive on the loose ball for England’s second try. The Irish kicking game did manage to catch him deep a few times, though, allowing the Irish chase to win the ball back or forcing the English 15 into knocking on.
- Jack Nowell – 7
Nowell was constantly looking for work off of his wing at the Aviva, popping up all over the midfield in search of mismatches. His work rate chasing was epitomised by his harassing of Stockdale, which led to the Ulsterman losing control of the ball and Daly diving on it for a try. He had a quieter second half, but did his defensive duties well.
- Henry Slade – 8
Switched up well with Manu Tuilagi and kept Ireland guessing as to exactly where Tuilagi would be hitting the line. He showed up well defensively, too, making a number of big hits and not getting caught tight, as he did on a couple of occasions in the autumn. Fully deserved his second half try, partly for assisting his own assist, with a lovely flat pass to May, who kicked into space for Slade to chase and dive on over the try line. Finished the game with a remarkable defensive read that saw him intercept Jonathan Sexton inside the Irish 22 and gallop in for his second score.
- Manu Tuilagi – 7
The centre was busy in the first half, regularly offering a carrying option, as well as showing the soft hands to bring teammates around him into play. He even stepped up as an option on a long lineout throw at the beginning of the half. He had particular joy running some incisive lines back in against the grain, making the most of Owen Farrell’s late play on the gain-line, as well as making a number of powerful solo tackles.
- Jonny May – 8
May grabbed an early try, showing his pace and finishing ability, but it was his work in the air which really impressed. He beat Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls on multiple contested balls in the air and was constantly harassing the Irish back three with his chasing. Set up Slade with a measured kick in the second half, too. A kick out on the full aside, it was a very solid showing from the Leicester wing.
- Owen Farrell – 8
The fly-half’s flat pass to Daly for May’s early score was pinpoint and representative of a good distribution game for Farrell. He linked well with Tuilagi and Slade and controlled things well for England. He was successful with five of his seven kicks and defended physically, but with the control that is sometimes missing.
- Ben Youngs – 9
A fine tactical kicking display from Youngs, who arguably out-duelled his opposite number Conor Murray on the day. He constantly had an awareness of where the space was, as well as bringing a good tempo to England’s play that allowed them to stretch Ireland’s defence. Effective scramble defence, too.
- Mako Vunipola – 8
The loosehead came under some expected pressure from Tadhg Furlong, but held up well after struggling in the first scrum. His work slowing down Irish ball at the breakdown and making metres for England around the fringes was invaluable in helping his side control the gain-line on both sides of the ball, particularly in the first half.
- Jamie George – 7
George was successful with eight of his nine lineouts and was a willing worker in defence and attack throughout. Played to a high standard for a 76-minute shift.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7
He dealt well with Cian Healy’s early pressure at the scrum, staying straight and providing an anchor for the set-piece. Soft hands in the loose helped England find some joy breaking the gain-line and he offered himself as a willing carrier, also. Seemed to scrummage stronger as the game went on, before being replaced by Harry Williams in the 64th minute.
- Maro Itoje – 7
Delivered all of the intensity you would expect from Itoje, leading England’s chase and defensive line, as well as getting his fingers to Irish box-kicks. He grabbed a steal at the breakdown and was England’s primary option at attacking lineouts. He was unfortunately forced from the field after 53 minutes with an apparent knee injury.
- George Kruis – 6
Kruis ate up a lot of work around the fringes, efficiently tackling low and contributing to England’s success with dominant tackles. Didn’t manage to disrupt the Irish lineout as much as he would have liked, but competed on a number of throws and prevented Ireland getting quick and clean ball.
- Mark Wilson – 7
Another industrious performance from Wilson, who was a big part of England’s excellent defensive showing. Frequently worked in unison with the likes of Billy Vunipola and Kruis, driving Irish carriers backwards, as well as chipping in at the lineout.
- Tom Curry – 8
Curry showed good line speed and mobile defence in the midfield on his first Six Nations start, as exhibited by his second half charge-down of Sexton, but a late shot on Earls that saw him sent to the bin for 10 minutes marred his first half. Seemed at times to be man-marking Sexton and did so to very good effect.
- Billy Vunipola – 7
The number eight was a big part of England’s dominant tackling in the defensive line, frequently driving powerful Irish carriers back before the gain-line. He was another of the English forwards leading the impressive line-speed throughout.
Replacements
Came on too late to have an impact.
- Ellis Genge – 5
Came on too late to have an impact.
- Harry Williams – 6
Kept the scrum ticking along well after replacing Sinckler and ate up a number of carries around the fringes.
- Courtney Lawes – 7
Brought some welcome physicality off the bench, making a couple of his trademark big tackles. His defensive reads were critical for England in the second half.
- Nathan Hughes – 6
Hughes did an admirable job, playing just under half an hour in the second row, after Itoje left the field with an injury.
- Dan Robson – n/a
Unused replacement.
- George Ford – 5
Came on too late to have an impact.
- Chris Ashton – 5
Came on too late to have an impact.
Watch: England in training before the test in Dublin
Comments on RugbyPass
Must 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!
3 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.
3 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… 😉😂
3 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.
25 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.
25 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 commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to comments