England player ratings vs Wales
After the highs of their win at Twickenham, England were brought back to earth with hard-fought 13-6 loss to Wales at the Principality Stadium.
George North’s try towards the end of the first half was the difference in the match, although Eddie Jones will be relatively pleased with the uptick in performance from his side after the interval.
We have rated all 23 of England’s players in Cardiff, as they went down to a resurgent Welsh side.
- Elliot Daly – 5.5
Tested in the air early by Wales, with the full-back grabbing one contested ball and coughing up another. Identified a nice mismatch on the counter-attack against Tomas Francis but wasn’t able to consistently hurt Wales as an attacking force. Brought reliable kicking relief from within the 22.
- Anthony Watson – 5.5
Pinged and yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on towards the end of the first half, which cost England as Wales went quickly and scored a try on Watson’s vacated wing. Dealt much better with the aerial contest in the second half and had a decent foray down the wing, supporting Jamie George’s break.
https://twitter.com/WelshRugbyUnion/status/1162730946816352256?s=20
- Jonathan Joseph – 6
The Bath centre couldn’t quite find the space in Wales’ defence that he did last week, although his line-speed helped restrict the home side’s attack.
- Piers Francis – 6.5
After impressing in defence at Twickenham, Francis looked livelier as a carrier in Cardiff, having some joy cutting back against the grain. Flashes of what he could offer in place of Ben Te’o’s physical presence.
- Joe Cokanasiga – 5
The wing struggled with some of the aerial balls that came his way, missing one that should have been his and spilling a contested ball in the first half. He was busy off his wing, stepping up as a first receiver a number of times, although didn’t enjoy the carrying success he did a week before.
- George Ford – 5.5
Not quite the control with the boot Ford would have liked, including a kick out on the full with a cross kick deep inside Wales’ territory. He was successful with both of his kicks at goal and made way for Manu Tuilagi at around the 60-minute mark.
- Willi Heinz – 6
The scrum-half showed good control early on with both the boot and tempo from the ruck. Passed more regularly from the ruck than he did a week before, although coughed up a turnover in Welsh territory before leaving the pitch for a HIA late in the first half.
- Ellis Genge – 5.5
Genge didn’t quite have the same scrum success he did a week previously and Wales starved England of possession in the first half, limiting his role as a ball-carrier. He was replaced by Joe Marler not long into the second half.
- Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Missed his first lineout but connected with the three following ones. He couldn’t quite have the attacking impact he would have wanted, but his efficiency and physicality in the tackle, with a low chopping technique, was influential for England.
- Dan Cole – 5.5
Strong scrum to start the game, although lost his bind repeatedly after that as the Welsh scrum came back into the game. Solid fringe defence.
- Joe Launchbury – 6
An industrious showing before being replaced by George Kruis. Helped England disrupt the Welsh maul and got through a lot of work close to the ruck.
- Maro Itoje – 6.5
The lock didn’t have the attacking influence he is capable of, although his defensive work was typically effective, not least so his second half intercept. Alongside Launchbury, he did a good job of disrupting Wales’ maul and he was physical and efficient in the tackle, even when chasing and hunting down Wales’ back three.
- Courtney Lawes – 6
Offered a reliable lineout target and profited repeatedly on the gain-line as a tackler. A frustrating spilled ball in the second half summed up the attacking influence he was able to have, though.
https://twitter.com/EnglandRugby/status/1162743382063685632?s=20
- Lewis Ludlam – 6.5
Missed an important clear-out early which handed possession back to Wales, before growing into the game, including ripping a ball in the contact. He got through plenty of work as part of England’s chop-heavy tackling approach and grabbed his second turnover with his work on the ground.
- Billy Vunipola – 7
Vunipola provided England with a relatively consistent source of gain-line success and was eager and precise with his offloads. Coughed up an unnecessary turnover running in high and being held up in a maul, although it was fairly isolated in another strong outing.
Replacements
- Jamie George – 7.5
The hooker offered real impact off the bench, successfully connecting with all six of his lineouts, sparking a big blindside break and carrying effectively in a busy showing.
- Joe Marler – 6
Helped swing the tight scrum contest in England’s favour after his arrival and was physical around the fringes.
- Kyle Sinckler – 6
Added to England’s pack’s playmaking ability with soft hands to shift the point of contact. Tackled manfully, although put boot to ball when a potential overlap was on.
- George Kruis – 6
Put himself about, although with England having already had three locks on the pitch, didn’t offer something different as they attempted to take momentum away from Wales.
- Jack Singleton – n/a
Came on too late to have an impact.
- Ben Youngs – 6
His support of George’s break nearly brought a try and he looked lively, trying to take a couple of tap penalties, only to be called back by the referee.
- Owen Farrell – 6
Won a late turnover and had an incisive run to put England in position to grab a try, although they couldn’t finish the move.
- Manu Tuilagi – 6
Had a couple of physical tackles, although there was little opportunity for him to influence the game in attack.
Watch: The Rugby Pod react to England’s Rugby World Cup squad
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
8 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.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 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?
8 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?
41 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 commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments