England player ratings vs Scotland
England head coach Eddie Jones rang the changes following his side’s demoralising loss to France in their tournament opener and it paid off as they emerged 13-6 winners at Murrayfield against Scotland.
It was certainly a match for the purists, as driving rain and blustery gales forced both teams into an attritional battle of set-pieces and kicking games, with opportunities for ball-carriers to impress few and far between.
Check out our player ratings for all 23 of the England players below.
- George Furbank – 6
The inexperienced full-back dealt well with the high balls that came his way and he chased well on a number of kicks from Owen Farrell and George Ford, where his first up tackling was accurate and efficient.
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Watch: Jim Hamilton breaks down Wales or Ireland for the Six Nations championship
- Jonny May – 7
After spilling the ball whilst under pressure on the opening kick-off, May went well in testing conditions. He was a safe pair of hands in the aerial game, chased effectively on many of England’s numerous kicks and even popped up in the midfield as an attacking option.
- Jonathan Joseph – 6
In a game that was dominated by kicking at nine, 10 and 12, Joseph’s contribution was minimal, other than in the energy of his chase and the solid tackling and decision-making he made in defence.
- Owen Farrell – 8
Farrell’s return of three success on six kicks might not seem exemplary, although it was a testament to the conditions on show at Murrayfield. His kicking from hand was excellent and repeatedly put England in a strong position to defend and force errors out of Scotland, which was another area where the centre impressed after his poorer showing in Paris.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226187601784320001?s=20
- Elliot Daly – 5
The wing’s opportunities were few and far between in a kick-heavy performance in Edinburgh, although kicking out on the full in the second half didn’t help his team. He chased kicks with energy and endeavour, although he wasn’t able to win back any kicks.
- George Ford – 4
Ford struggled to read the wind with his kicking game, including a snapped drop goal that drifted wide of the posts. He also knocked-on with a high ball and put his team into trouble with a wayward pass in the tackle inside his own 22.
- Willie Heinz – 6
A solid showing from Heinz, whose box-kicking was more contestable for his chasers than Ben Youngs’ had been in France. There was also a good tempo to his ability to deliver ball and he profited with a couple of incisive snipes. Lost his kicking radar a little in the second half, though.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226204052716957697?s=20
- Mako Vunipola – 7
It was generally a positive return to the starting XV for Vunipola, whose strong ball carrying and work disrupting the maul were valuable additions for England. He wasn’t able to go after the Scottish scrum in the same way Joe Marler went after the French set-piece, but he held his own.
- Jamie George – 7
George connected on eight of his 10 lineouts at a blustery and unforgiving Murrayfield, which was an excellent return, given the conditions. His set-piece work laid a strong foundation for England and he was busy in the loose, particularly in defence.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7
The tighthead held up well at the scrum for the second week in a row and there seemed to be more dynamism to his ball-carrying and work clearing out than there had been in France.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226177121766322177?s=20
- Maro Itoje – 8
Itoje forced two turnovers with the power of his tackling, stole Scottish lineouts and was a thorn in Scotland’s side at the contact area. He had a couple of forceful carries, too, and was particularly influential winning the collisions close to the ruck.
- George Kruis – 6
The impact of the lock at the lineout, both in attack and defence, was felt in Edinburgh. His physicality close to the ruck on both sides of the ball was also noticeable.
- Lewis Ludlam – 6
Ludlam didn’t provide the carrying that was expected of him, although that was due to how the game played out, with both teams eager to kick and defend rather than take possession. He made some solid tackles and was hard to move over the ball.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226142156177453063?s=20
- Sam Underhill – 8
One of, if not England’s standout performer at Murrayfield. His tackling was incredibly physical and accurate, he cleaned up loose balls on the floor and exerted his influence at the breakdown and the maul.
- Tom Curry – 7
Curry was physics with his play against Scotland and was much more adept winning the collisions than he had been a week previously in Paris. He also showed better control of the ball at the base of the scrum, too.
Replacements
- Tom Dunn – n/a
Unusued replacement.
- Ellis Genge – 7
Genge added to England’s scrum advantage after arriving from the bench and scored the pivotal try in the 69th minute that proved pivotal to England winning the game.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1226129818229596160?s=20
- Will Stuart – n/a
Unused replacement.
- Joe Launchbury – n/a
Came on too late to have a real impact on the game.
- Courtney Lawes – 6
The lock’s power was felt after he replaced Ludlam, with his tackling denying Scotland the attacking consistency they needed to punish England.
- Ben Earl – 6
Earl came on and made a couple of physical tackles, although his opportunities were limited on what will still be a memorable debut for the back rower.
- Ben Youngs – 6
The scrum-half looked a little snappier than the laboured display in Paris and with Heinz’s kicking beginning to go awry in the second half, Youngs’ arrival was timely and important.
- Ollie Devoto – n/a
Unused replacement.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
19 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
4 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
19 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
19 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
19 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
19 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
19 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
19 Go to comments