England player ratings vs Italy | Six Nations 2022
England’s unbeaten Six Nations run against Italy now extends to 23 games following their 33-nil win in the Stadio Olimpico.
The visitors built a 21-nil half-time lead thanks to Marcus Smith’s early score plus a Jamie George brace.
Elliot Daly extended their advantage soon after the restart, but thereafter England endured a frustrating second half plagued by handling errors and the concession of eight penalties before Kyle Sinckler finished a flowing move.
Head coach Eddie Jones made six changes to the England side which lost to Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend plus two positional switches.
Joe Marchant moved from the left wing to outside centre leaving space for Jack Nowell to make his first start since the 2019 Six Nations. Bristol’s Harry Randall replaced Ben Youngs at scrum-half.
In the front row George and Will Stuart were introduced at hooker and tight-head prop while Charlie Ewels came into the second row with Maro Itoje moving to blindside flanker. Alex Dombrandt replaced Sam Simmonds at number eight.
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley made three changes to the side which suffered a 33rd consecutive Six Nations defeat in Paris last Sunday.
Federico Mori was preferred on the wing to try-scoring debutant Tommaso Menoncello while Pietro Ceccarelli replaced Tiziano Pasquali at prop and Braam Steyn started at flanker with Sebastien Negri dropped to the bench.
15. Freddie Steward – 7.5
An always-present attacking threat roaming in the outside channels who played a big part in his team’s third try.
14. Max Malins – 7.5
Lost the ball forward when attempting a one-handed offload in the Italy 22 but soon made amends by sending Smith over for his country’s opening try. As solid under the high ball as he was in the tackle. Unselfishly sent Sinckler over late on when he could have gone the direct route.
13. Joe Marchant – 7
Saw plenty of the ball in the first half when he often got over the gain-line. Looked completely at home in his preferred no.13 shirt where he consistently took the right attacking option. A poor kick ended a counter attack opportunity midway through the second half.
12. Henry Slade – 8
Used his big left boot to good effect in the first quarter to pin Italy back from inside England’s 22. His lovely long pass released Malins soon after the restart and the Exeter centre narrowly failed to claim a last-second try when the TMO found separation in his attempted grounding.
11. Jack Nowell – 6
1065 days after his last England start Nowell spilled his first pass in contact. Thereafter he was typically industrious popping up with ball in hand and making a nuisance of himself in defence before frustratingly departing before the end of the opening quarter with concussion.
10. Marcus Smith – 9
Given time and space England’s current poster boy went through his full array of skills. Created and finished England’s first try with a lovely check and exchange of passes with Malins and their fourth with a long, flat pass to Daly. Showed he can also tackle when making a crucial last-ditch hit on Federico Mori. Blotted his copybook slightly by failing to reach the ten-metre line with a restart.
9. Harry Randall – 8.5
Making his first Six Nations start, the Bristol no.9’s slick service was immediately apparent and he also twice put boot to ball to good effect in the opening quarter before badly over-cooking a box kick. His trademark sniping pace created England’s second try plus Itoje’s disallowed ‘score’ and kept the hosts’ fringe defence honest throughout.
1. Ellis Genge – 5.5
Another England player whose first touch went forward and as Lawrence Dallaglio observed in commentary too often faced a battle to retain control of the ball in contact. Produced a lovely floated pass in the outside channel to create George’s second score on the stroke of half-time before his forward pass ended a move which seemed destined to produce a fourth score soon after the restart.
2. Jamie George – 9
Scored England’s second and third tries – the latter with an impressive burst and agile finish – and played a full part in England’s well-oiled lineout which had a 100 per cent return when he departed.
Jamie George goes over to grab England's second of the game 🏴#ITAvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/XS5jQxBorj
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 13, 2022
3. Will Stuart – 6
The Bath prop’s early nerves were not helped by his concession of a first-minute penalty at the lineout, but he soon made amends by forcing a maul turnover. Carried hard and did his share of the donkey work defensively before being replaced at half-time.
4. Charlie Ewels – 6.5
Involved in England’s second try, soared to good effect under Italy’s restarts and played his part in their excellent lineout operation.
5. Nick Isiekwe – 6
Carried usefully in the build-up to England’s second try before being penalised for the lineout blocking which saw Itoje’s touchdown ruled out. Another whose lineout work impressed.
Jamie George helps himself to his second of the game 👏 #ITAvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/5UMXOP76bb
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 13, 2022
6. Maro Itoje – 8
Used regularly as a lineout option and more prominent as a carrier than usual following his shift from the second row to the blindside. Thought he’d scored from close range only for the TMO to intervene.
7. Tom Curry – 7
Unlucky that his charge-down of Paolo Garbisi didn’t produce more. Got his hands on the ball in the outside channels as well as closer to the coalface where he put in a characteristically action-packed shift. Perhaps fortunate to avoid a ‘red zone’ yellow card when Italy made their first serious entry into England’s 22 in the 50th minute.
8. Alex Dombrandt – 6
Smashed regularly and hard into Italy’s front-line defence without finding the sort of space he enjoys at domestic level. Twice won penalties on the ground when Italy’s carriers got isolated.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Replaced George in the 55th minute and started with a perfect long throw before missing his target at the second and third times of asking. Marked his first-time ascent to the captaincy following Curry’s departure by winning a penalty on the ground five metres from England’s line.
17. Joe Marler – 6
The fourth-quarter replacement for Genge had little chance to shine.
18. Kyle Sinckler – 7.5
Arrived at half-time and made an immediate impression by winning penalties against the feed in the opening two scrums of the second half. Got his name on the scoresheet late on.
Kyle Sinckler goes over and gets England fourth of the afternoon! #ITAvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/J1WDou4cXj
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 13, 2022
19. Ollie Chessum – 7
Leicester’s 21-year-old lock made his England debut with 15 minutes remaining and snaffled a turnover following an Italian knock-on.
20. Sam Simmonds – 6
Arrived in the 55th minute and found little opportunity with ball in hand.
21. Ben Youngs – 6
Moved alongside Jason Leonard as England’s most-capped player when he appeared from the bench for his 114th international but frustrated England fans by box kicking possession away following his forwards’ 15-metre lineout drive.
22. George Ford – 6
Played the last few minutes alongside Smith.
England secure the bonus point ✅ #ITAvENG #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/WWWdI9MKHe
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 13, 2022
23. Elliot Daly – 8.5
Arrived as an HIA replacement for Nowell in the 16th minute and saw plenty of action with ball in hand. Claimed a high ball with a huge leap at the start of the move which ended with his team’s third try then scored their fourth. His best England display for a while.
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments