England Player Ratings - vs Scotland
Their title hopes may have been derailed by Wales emphatically securing the Grand Slam earlier in the day, but that didn’t prevent England from turning in an impressive first half at Twickenham, racing into a 31-7 lead at the interval.
England imploded in the second half, however, coughing up six unanswered tries and only just managing to salvage a 38-38 draw with a George Ford try right at the death.
We have rated all 23 of England’s players from a bonkers 80 minutes at Twickenham.
- Elliot Daly – 8
The full-back was in fine form, constantly influencing the game in attack. He came into the back line as a second receiver and always had his head up on the counter-attack, repeatedly finding space in the Scottish defence. His positioning and work under the high ball was very solid, too.
- Jack Nowell – 7
Nowell’s work rate reaffirmed Jones’ faith in him, as he not only managed to make ground on the wing, but also went looking for the ball in the midfield. He kept his depth well for his first half try, supported industriously and was reliable in defence, efficiently making low tackles on bigger carriers.
- Henry Slade – 7
A creative masterclass early from the centre, who looked as if he was in a training game at times on Saturday evening. He drew men for Nowell’s early try and showed his comfort as a ball-handler with his back-of-the-hand offload for Jonny May’s try. He was effective early in defence, keeping his width and preventing Scotland from turning the corner, although it was notably exposed by Darcy Graham’s second score and big gaps began to form in England’s midfield.
- Manu Tuilagi – 6
Tuilagi’s out-to-in lines wrought havoc in the Scottish defence in the first half and repeatedly created space for his teammates further out. He operated a little wider in the second half and had more success as a carrier, but the momentum swing in Scotland’s favour meant that his solo tackles were the more influential part of his game after the interval.
- Jonny May – 7
A typically hard-working performance from May, who chased and competed in the air to good effect throughout the game. His support-running was rewarded with a first half try, although his missed tackle on Stuart McInally’s charge-down try will put a slight stain on an otherwise impressive showing.
- Owen Farrell – 4
It wasn’t the best performance from Farrell, who had his kick charged down for McInally’s try and his pass was intercepted for Finn Russell’s score. He had some nice handling moments in the first half and made all five of his kicks at goal, but it was not his usual confident and composed attacking display.
- Ben Youngs – 6
A couple of Youngs’ box-kicks had a little too much on them and gave his chasers an unenviable task, but it was not a game – until late – that was going to be decided in that facet. The tempo and accuracy of distribution that Youngs brought at the ruck was key to England getting their big carriers in the pack running onto the ball and breaking the Scottish defensive line in the first half.
- Ben Moon – n/a
The loosehead unfortunately had to leave the field after just four minutes with what appeared to be a rib injury.
- Jamie George – 8
George was one of the few England players to maintain his stellar first half form and carry it into the second. He was up quick in fringe defence, tackling low and efficiently, and carried as well as he has in this year’s tournament. His work at the lineout was also exemplary, with the hooker connecting on all 11 of his throws.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7
The interplay between Sinckler and his fellow forwards was impressive and it was his handling that helped set up Nowell’s early try. He chipped in with a solid platform at the scrum, multiple dominant tackles in the defensive line and even nabbed a lineout steal in a standard of performance that is becoming the new normal for the prop. He was missed badly after being replaced at 50 minutes.
- Joe Launchbury – 5
Led the way at the lineout with six takes and managed to disrupt one of McInally’s throws. He put himself about in the defensive line in England’s second half stands, too, but struggled to positively impact the game beyond the set-piece.
- George Kruis – 6
Kruis put good pressure on the scrum-half around the fringes, carried well and showed impressive line-speed to hunt down the first receiver multiple times. He split the lineout targets with Launchbury and was a reliable option.
- Mark Wilson – 5
The flanker contributed to the swift ruck speed that England enjoyed and was efficient and powerful as a tackler. With England so rampant in the first half, however, it was a day for his more potent offensive teammates to shine at Twickenham, before being replaced by Brad Shields in his side’s second half meltdown.
- Tom Curry – 7
Curry’s rise continued on Saturday as he tormented Scotland in attack and defence. He ran good lines and carried with incision, won turnovers and penalties at the contact area and topped up those two areas with offloads to keep phases alive and dominant tackles that dislodged Scottish possession. He faded out of the game in the second half, however.
- Billy Vunipola – 6
The number stepped up once again as England’s primary carrier in the back row, both as a source of front-foot ball and as a passer in the back line. In his brother’s absence, he continued to pick up plenty of the slack on the gain-line in attack and defence. He also provided a fifth option to field kicks, alongside the back three and Farrell. A few spills in contact and taking passes blotted the copybook.
Replacements
Cowan-Dickie connected with the pivotal lineout at the end of the game that allowed England to tie the game.
- Ellis Genge – 6
After an early introduction, Genge scrummaged well against the experienced WP Nel. He carried to good effect and linked up well with fellow front rower Sinckler. The Leicester man also chased and tackled well when England went to the boot. Lapses in ball-security blighted an otherwise encouraging performance.
- Dan Cole – 6
Cole’s arrival coincided with England’s meltdown in the second half and the prop was more involved in damage limitation than proactively affecting the game. Scotland managed to get the nudge on in the scrum, too.
- Brad Shields – 5
He came on for Wilson with time to influence the game but couldn’t offer anything extra, with momentum completely in Scotland’s favour.
- Nathan Hughes – 6
Took a risk with a loopy offload after the clock had gone red, but it worked out well for England, who were able to cross the whitewash shortly after.
- Ben Spencer – 6
Good tempo and awareness of space after coming on late.
- George Ford – 7
Ford scooted over for the try and made the conversion that tied the game for England, although his arrival was so late as to minimise the effect he could have had on the game.
- Ben Te’o – 6
A notable carry and pass that built towards Ford’s try and saved England’s blushes.
Watch: Eddie Jones gives his reasons for leaving out Joe Cokanasiga
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 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.
13 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.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 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?
13 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?
44 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 comments