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
‘War of independence’. Such a grand name for a few skirmishes. Where were all the great battles of this ‘war’ ? Smith got goosebumps as he was being emotionally manipulated, another mushroom.
1 Go to commentsFor all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad? Then again, perhaps not…
117 Go to comments> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
73 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
73 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
73 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
73 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
117 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
23 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
73 Go to commentsSorry bok you can't beat facts, we heard you all crowing how great you thought you were..lol ! We all watched the game, cheatsabeth cheating cost abs a try, only a penalty considering it was cynical and a professional foul, doesn't matter who wrote this because thats how it happened, but you go enjoy your gifting of the cup,
73 Go to commentsCan we talk about the context of how this particular journalist continues to make a living and gets published? Controversy for clicks. Shame on all of us for engaging with these irrelevant opinions.
73 Go to commentsAn astounding article !
73 Go to commentsFrance didn’t lose against New Zeland in 2011, but against Joubert…
73 Go to commentsHahahaha knew the “journalist” just by seeing the headline. Not wasting my time reading it as I know it's just another toxic manifestation of the boks living rent free in this babies head.
73 Go to commentsWhen you read those facts, you can say safely that the game was handed to the Springboks by the ruling mistakes made by the Referee and TMO. Perhaps that is why South Africans were/are so “noisey” about the win….this behaviour perhaps concealing that they realise luck played a big part in the result. Certainly not a good look for the IRB going forward…pretty shoddy sadly.
73 Go to commentsI must admit to being quite surprised by all the wine-ing and hand wringing from most AB pundits; commentators and the general analysis after a classic and engrossing final. I shudder to think how the pundits would’ve reacted if the AB’s where victors with 1 point on the day.. Most Bok fans pundits; fans and commentators take a loss on the chin; congratulate the winner and move on…and till now the NZ rugby fans where the same.. Naas Botha’s famous quote has never been more apt…. Cowboys don’t cry or make excuses.. STOP IT CRY-BABIES; …..YOU LOST.
73 Go to comments4 out of 8 beats 3 out of 10 cups. Maybe NZ are bad finishers???🤣🤣🤣
73 Go to commentsBokke bokke Bokke
1 Go to commentsThe main thing you need on your side to win a World Cup is luck. ABs had their fair share of it in the 2011 final. One score game in the SF vs Springboks in 2015 means there always things you can look at and say if this thing or that thing happened then SA would/should have won that game. Smith’s try being called back broke protocol, but it was the correct decision, so I don’t have a problem with that. If it was an SA try called back in the same circumstances I don’t think many ABS fans would have a problem with it. Cane’s shot was high, it was the classic thing NZ players have been doing, and getting carded for for years - Walking around bolt upright trying to put a big hit on someone. Stupid play by someone with a poor disciplinary record. The one that was a big problem for me was Etzebeth’s obstruction. The referee just choked on this occasion. Frustrating to have the TMO in his ear all night, apart from at this moment. Minimum yellow card for Etzebeth, but a very strong case for a penalty try also. Despite all that the ABs had the opportunity to be ahead with 3 minutes to play, so it’s hard to point fingers too much. Pollard makes that kick 99/100. JB and RM make it 50/100. That’s what it came down to in the end.
73 Go to comments