England player ratings vs Italy | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
England player ratings live from Stadio Olimpico: A nervous, close-run thing on the scoreboard for England wasn’t in the script for this Guinness Six Nations round-one encounter. The consensus was that we were going to see an energy in the visitors that hadn’t been seen in a long time.
Even the likes of the now-retired Test wing Jonny May suggested that 2024 would actually be the real start to Steve Borthwick’s tenure 12 months after he crashed and burned in his maiden campaign in charge, his team losing at home to Scotland first-up and going on to win just a miserly two of their five championship matches.
However, instead of taking off like a rocket against an Azzurri they have never ever lost to, a depressingly limited England only managed a stodgy 27-24 win after they blundered their way through a terrible first half that ended with them 14-17 behind and facing huge questions about their defence after the leakage of two soft tries.
The recruitment of Felix Jones from the Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks to take care of the rearguard was meant to shut the door on opposition teams; not leave gaping holes of the kind that Alessandro Garbisi and Tommaso Allan gleefully exploited on 11 and 26 minutes.
Having trailed 0-10 and 8-17, it was only through Alex Mitchell’s 45th-minute try that England eventually hit the front after being behind since the fifth minute, but even then a victory procession didn’t follow.
There was no four-try bonus point to celebrate – they were left with just the two and their last opportunity to get a third was wasted with a penalty on their own scrum five metres from the Italian line.
That was costly as the hosts played on for five added minutes and were eventually gifted a losing bonus as Monty Ioane completed Fraser Dingwall’s debut to forget by giving him the slip to score a third Italian try.
If there was straw to clutch amid the English gloom, this will at least go into the history books as their first round one win since 2019 in Dublin, a crumb of comfort that gives them something to try and build on next weekend when they host Wales in London. Here are the England player ratings:
15. Freddie Steward – 5.5
Had his World Cup issues, getting dropped and also picked on the wing, and he can’t be happy here with how the England defence gave up two first-half stroll-ins and were then cut open at the finish. On the upside, his carry was important in the lead-taking Mitchell try.
14. Tommy Freeman – 7.5
A first appearance under Borthwick, he more than justified his recall. His offload to put in Elliot Daly, when he smartly popped up in the left wing channel, was sweet and the few extra kilos he added gave the impression of greater comfort at Test level. His backside was also on show, Italy desperately hauling down by the shorts neat the interval.
13. Henry Slade – 6.5
Another on the comeback trail with something to prove having been axed for the World Cup, his defensive partnership with Dingwall didn’t inspire but he was smart with the ball on occasion, as seen in the arcing run he made when helping to tee up the Daly try.
12. Fraser Dingwall – 3.5
A player with the patience of Job waiting for this Test debut, given the number of squads he was involved in without even playing, he encountered a baptism of fire defensively and will likely be a fall guy in the inner sanctum post-mortem.
11. Elliot Daly – 5.5
Took his first-half try well on 20 minutes but would have been aghast at being left facing a three/four-on-one in defence around the halfway line six minutes later for the second Italian try. Yellow carded on 76 minutes for foot-tripping Tommaso Menoncello.
Alex Mitchell = Man on a mission for @EnglandRugby ?#ITAENG #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/wJaXWVxoDf
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 3, 2024
10. George Ford – 6.5
His experience was needed in digging England out of a huge hole. Mixed up his game – look at the dummy that led to Steward being tackled without the ball and England getting three first-half points back. Was six from seven off the tee for 17 invaluable points before exiting on 67 minutes. His inevitable detractors, though, will now demand a start for rookie Fin Smith.
9. Alex Mitchell – 6.5
Beat off an infected leg wound to take his place in the starting line-up and his running presence was important given he scored the try that gave England the lead they weren’t to lose.
1. Joe Marler – 5.5
Chalked up a decent tackle tally but offered little else. Way less of a presence than he was against South Africa in the World Cup semi-final.
2. Jamie George – 6
The new skipper didn’t lead his side to an inspiring performance even though he finished as his team’s joint-highest tackler.
3. Will Stuart – 5.5
Got on the ball loads but had nothing to show for it. Scrums were few and far between and it was 51 minutes before England had one of their own to feed into. It ended well with a penalty win.
4. Maro Itoje – 6
An inconsistent afternoon that was summed up just after the break when he expertly tackled and won a breakdown penalty only to miss his subsequent catch at the lineout under pressure from Federico Ruzza. Gave Italy their opening penalty points with offside and would have cost his team another three for the same type of offence if Allan didn’t miss on 59 minutes.
5. Ollie Chessum – 5.5
Gave up England’s first penalty concession for no release and that was the prompt for his team’s forgettable first half. Missed too many tackles.
6. Ethan Roots – 7.5
Like a jumbo jet taking off, the debut-maker made a slow start but he eventually rose to the occasion and did enough to be voted the official player of the match. His ball-carrying was important in England’s revival.
7. Sam Underhill – 5.5
Wasn’t the huge presence he was expected to be. Limited impact against a pent-up Italian pack.
8. Ben Earl – 7
The unexpected star of the World Cup, he eventually continued where he left off by carrying the fight to Italy when England most needed it.
Freeman ? Daly @EnglandRugby with a solid reply ?#GuinnessM6N #ITAENG pic.twitter.com/WQFyLtA3B4
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 3, 2024
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan – No Rating
Only a 74th-minute introduction for George.
17. Beno Obano – No Rating
There were 76 minutes played when the late call-up for Ellis Genge finally got a run.
18. Dan Cole – 5
The first of the bench to get used, arriving into the fray on 56 minutes. Very limited impact.
19. Alex Coles – No Rating
It took Chessum getting a bang on 73 minutes for him to get sent on.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South – 7
There were 67 minutes played when he replaced Underhill and his debut impacts were excellent, making a massive cover tackle in his 22 on Federico Mori with Italy looking for a lifeline try and then managing an impressive carry. Looked a natural at this level.
21. Danny Care – 5.5
A 59th-minute arrival with England holding a seven-point advantage. Didn’t provide the hurry-up seen during some of his sub appearances off the World Cup bench.
22. Fin Smith – 5
A 67th-minute introduction with Cunningham-South after Ford had just kicked England 27-17 ahead, his debut passed by without England adding to the scoreboard.
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – No Rating
A short-lived debut as a 77th-minute sub for Freeman.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
220 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
16 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
220 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
220 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
47 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
16 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
47 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
7 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
220 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
7 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
7 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
7 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to commentsSo many excuses. No mention of the SA number 2 being taken out illegally in the 2nd minute. That act of foul play had a massive impact on the SA game. Face it, NZ play pretty dirty very regularly, and it’s only since 2016 they’ve been held to higher officiating standards via stricter officiating and TMO reviews. They deserved to have a man down. Sorry. Fix the yellow and red cards and NZ will win more RWCs. Plus, there WAS a knock on invalidating the one try, so it was NOT a try. Period. Here’s a Kleenex…
220 Go to commentsOverheard conversation between NZ and SA rugby fans everywhere: We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! We’re the greatest! No we’re the greatest! Ireland are arrogant! True but they beat you! We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! Etc. etc, etc.
47 Go to comments