England player ratings vs Italy - 2021 Six Nations
After the horrors of the Calcutta Cup a week previous, England and Eddie Jones righted the ship with a solid 41-18 win over Italy at Twickenham.
There were still plenty of areas where England will feel unhappy about their performance, as attacks faltered in key moments, though it was a much-improved display than their showing against Scotland and showed what the side is capable of when they go out with an intent to keep the ball in hand, build multi-phase attacks and not subscribe to an unamendable structure.
Check out our player ratings for the victorious England side below.
1. Mako Vunipola – 6
A solid but understated performance from Vunipola, which was to be expected given how long he has been away from competitive rugby. An early engage at the scrum aside, he did well in his first game back.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7
Jamie George’s place in the starting XV is not under threat after one poor performance but the additional explosion in the carry that Cowan-Dickie brought will not have gone unnoticed, either. He also nailed six of his seven lineouts and showed that he can be relied upon at the set-piece.
3. Kyle Sinckler – 8
Sinckler was a significant factor in England’s increased tempo and attacking fluency this week. He helped deliver a stable set-piece that was able to exert pressure on Italy, as well as stepping up as a ball-carrier and handler, capable of shifting the point of contact and unlocking the Italian defensive line.
4. Maro Itoje – 8
A typically effective performance from one of the few England players to come out of the Calcutta Cup with credit. Itoje was physical and quick off the line in defence, he was the go-to man at the lineout and repeatedly dented the Azzurri defence with his carrying and accurate clear-outs. He alone provided three turnovers for England.
5. Jonny Hill – 6
A solid outing from Hill, who earned his hard-fought pick and go try in the first half. He did the nuts and bolts well for England, even if Itoje’s overall impact in the loose was slightly more eye-catching.
6. Courtney Lawes – 7
After conceding an early penalty, Lawes bounced back well and had a profound effect on England’s attacking performance. In addition to the physicality he brought on both sides of the ball, his tip-ons and close-quarter handling was excellent, something which kept English attacks alive and the Italian defence scrambling and unable to reset.
7. Tom Curry – 8
When Itoje shines, so does Curry, in what is quickly becoming a weekly race for man of the match between the pair. Curry’s line speed and force in the tackle forced a couple of turnovers out of Italy, whilst his kick-chase work was every bit as effective as that of Jonny May and Anthony Watson, too.
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8. Billy Vunipola – 6
If Vunipola had looked undercooked last week against Scotland, this was the performance of someone who was far more up-to-speed. He made some key defensive contributions and looked like a player with an extra 10 or 20 minutes full intensity in the tank than he did a week earlier.
9. Ben Youngs – 6
Youngs was able to control the battle for territory well when he put the boot to ball but there were a couple of occasions where his choice or execution of pass let him down and brought England’s attacks to a halt. He was able to maintain England’s higher tempo well, though.
10. George Ford – 6
Ford fit the game plan against Italy well and between himself, Owen Farrell and Henry Slade, England never lacked for a first or second receiver capable of making precise pass and putting a runner through a hole. A couple of defensive errors blotted the copybook, however.
11. Jonny May – 7
May’s first half finish will go down as one of the most spectacular in English rugby history and was a fine of example of the game awareness and athletic ability he brings. After being starved of the ball last week, he also popped up in the midfield multiple times, looking for both the ball and for space.
12. Owen Farrell – 7
It was not an error-free performance from Farrell, who missed two kicks against the Azzurri and had a couple of handling errors, but it was a performance which made those around him better. The quickness with which he was able to give England width was critical to the success that May and Watson had.
13. Henry Slade – 7
There was a nice balance to Slade’s game, with his array of carrying, passing and kicking skills proving potent. His presence in attack, with plenty of opportunities with the ball in hand, kept the Italians on high alert and, like Farrell, facilitated the success of those around him.
14. Anthony Watson – 8
Watson looked back at his deadly best at Twickenham on Saturday, with his dazzling footwork and electric turn of pace causing Italy plenty of problems. The step off his right for his first half try was borderline undefendable and his ability to almost always evade the first man created space and opportunity for England. The intercept try in the second half was a fitting cherry on top of a strong performance.
15. Elliot Daly – 5
A poor pass and defensive mistake early seemed to play on Daly’s mind as he ended up chasing the game. He couldn’t quite bring the same positive momentum in attack that his back three colleagues did but he kept his width well for a late try.
Replacements
16. Jamie George – 6
Any inaccuracies at the lineout from the game against Scotland seemed to be long gone as George arrived from the bench and maintained England’s dominance at the set-piece.
17. Ellis Genge – 7
After being sent backwards in his carry, Genge brought threat with the ball in hand, plenty of energy and kept up the scrum pressure on the Azzurri.
18. Will Stuart – n/a
Came on too late to impact the game.
19. Charlie Ewels – 6
Opportunities were few and far between for Ewels to impact the game during the death, as England cruised to victory.
20. Jack Willis – 7
The back row showcased his enviable physicality with his second half try, as he absorbed the tackle and drove through for the try line. He sadly had to leave the game shortly after with what looked like a serious knee injury.
21. Ben Earl – 6
Earl didn’t have much of an opportunity to impact the game and his handling skills were on display as England turned the screw and finished off the game.
22. Dan Robson – 7
Robson brought threat as a ball-carrier and his quickly tapped penalty led to Willis’ try and killed off the game for England. That threat kept the Italian defence honest.
23. Max Malins – n/a
Came on too late to impact the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
9 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
9 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to comments