England Player Ratings vs Wales
After all the entertainment of the pre-match press conferences over the past week, England and Wales finally met on Saturday afternoon, with England edging a tense 12-6 win at Twickenham.
It was a drama-filled spectacle, if not an end-to-end classic, but England’s hopes of a third-straight title remained alive thanks to an excellent defensive second half performance.
Gripping drama at Twickenham, but the reigning champions prevail…#ENGvWAL#NatWest6Nations pic.twitter.com/28XWfmkw8J
— NatWest 6 Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 10, 2018
We’ve rated the home side’s efforts below.
- Mike Brown – 8
The full-back spilled one ball under pressure that he had to cover a little too much ground to make, but other than that he was as safe as houses under the peppering of the Welsh kickers. He ran the ball back with intent and helped keep England in the right areas of pitch on a day when the conditions had a strong bearing on the game.
- Anthony Watson – 6
Injury saw Watson leave the game just after the half and he didn’t quite have the same impact on the game he did a week before. He was solid, particularly as a kick-chaser, where he pressured the Welsh back three.
- Jonathan Joseph – 6
The Bath centre certainly impressed with his defensive work on his return to the XV, particularly with his ability to blitz up and put pressure on the Welsh back-line, before drifting out with play and not getting caught out in wider channels. He didn’t have too many opportunities to influence the game in attack.
- Owen Farrell – 8
One errant pass aside, Farrell shone at Twickenham. From his long-distance grubber to send Jonny May through for his first try to countless line-breaks and manipulations of field position, the Saracens playmaker delivered the control England needed in the wet conditions. Saved an almost certain try with his cover defence on Aaron Shingler’s big second half break, too.
? @owen_faz *might* have enjoyed that…#ENGvWAL#NatWest6Nations pic.twitter.com/20M27UUroY
— NatWest 6 Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 10, 2018
- Jonny May – 7
Took his two tries well in the first half and constantly showed up on England’s kick chase. Had a quieter second half but still made a significant contribution in defence and in the aerial battle.
- George Ford – 6
Ford’s tactical kicking wasn’t quite as effective as it was a week before in Rome, but his fluency and connection with Farrell continued to impress. He was subbed off as England looked to see out the game, with Farrell moving inside to fly-half.
- Danny Care – 6
Didn’t quite inject the tempo into England that he often does off the bench, but with the wet conditions, that was understandable. A lot of England’s successful carries around the fringe ran through Care’s play at the breakdown. Lost some of his control in the second half.
- Mako Vunipola – 8
Got through a mountain of work, just as he did in Rome a week ago. Out-scrummaged both Italian looseheads in that game and more than held his own against the considerable step up in quality that was Samson Lee this week. Busted a gut for 76 minutes.
- Dylan Hartley – 7
Another game with 100% success rate at the lineout for Hartley. Not the biggest attacking contribution with ball in hand, but also complemented his set-piece work with an efficient defensive showing.
- Dan Cole – 6
Scrummaged evenly against Rob Evans and kept himself busy in the loose, as part of England’s successful battle with the gain-line.
- Joe Launchbury – 8
The Wasps lock had a monster game in terms of his work rate and carrying and set up May’s second try with a fine offload whilst being tackled towards touch by two Welsh players. Defended with impressive line-speed, too.
- Maro Itoje – 7
A good all-round showing, with the Saracens man’s line-speed showing up particularly well. Didn’t quite have his usual set-piece impact with limited lineouts but carried earnestly close to the ruck. Made some key one-on-one tackles late in the game.
- Courtney Lawes – 7
Lawes played an important role in England’s quick ball at the breakdown and really stood out clearing Welsh fetchers, an area which Wales dominated in for the most part. He seemed to be the go-to man at the lineout, too.
- Chris Robshaw – 7
A very industrious performance, with the flanker contributing significantly to England’s carrying-by-committee approach in the absence of Billy Vunipola. Coped well with the move to No 8 following the departure of Sam Simmonds.
- Sam Simmonds – 6
Had a good first half, albeit in a much more controlled way than his free-running performance against Italy, but an injury saw him leave the field at half-time.
Replacements
- Jamie George – 6
Missed an early lineout throw when replacing Hartley for a HIA but had success after. A slightly longer shift saw him show off his carrying and defensive work, too.
- Alec Hepburn – 6
Played his part in the late English defensive stand.
- Harry Williams – 6
Didn’t have much to do after coming on other than tackle until the final whistle and he delivered.
- George Kruis – 6
Strong showing off the bench, popping up at the lineout and with ball-in-hand.
- Sam Underhill – 6
Came on at half-time, replacing the inured Simmonds. Made an excellent try-saving tackle on Scott Williams when the game was still in the balance.
That’s what you want from #underhill such a quality player. Never give up
— Lewis Moody (@LewisMoody7) February 10, 2018
- Richard Wigglesworth – 6
Gave more control than a tiring Care, but his responsibilities were mainly defensive with Wales’ late push.
- Ben Te’o – 6
Didn’t have long to make an impact, as England looked to repel the Welsh onslaught and reorganised their midfield accordingly.
- Jack Nowell – 6
Looked dangerous with his footwork but coughed up a turnover and a penalty shortly after he arrived on the pitch.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on the @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments