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England report card: Rating all 30 players used in the Six Nations
By Josh Raisey
Nothing quite sums up how bad a Guinness Six Nations campaign it was for England than being spoilt for choice deciding which unfortunate record was the most damning.
This year will be remembered as the Six Nations in which England won just one match for the first time, suffered their first-ever loss to Italy, and conceded more points than ever before. These are not pretty stats for any side, let alone one that entered the year on an 11-match winning run, ranked third in the world and tipped to win the title.
The campaign would have been a whole lot worse had Steve Borthwick’s side not salvaged some pride with their agonising 48-46 defeat to champions France in the final round, where plenty of players ended tricky tournaments on a high.
VIDEO
England have a superb squad, up there with the very best, but there are fathoms between their potential and their performances that no other country comes close to matching.
Onto South Africa next for England in July, but here’s how the players rated this Championship.
Back three
Freddie Steward – 4.5
In many ways, Steward’s first-half substitution against Ireland summed up his Championship and perhaps embodied Borthwick’s overly cautious approach. Following a yellow card, the full-back was roped off before half time in the round three contest in favour of Marcus Smith, as England chased points. As England looked to change their style, he was omitted from the final two matches, suggesting he is not the man needed if England want to play with more freedom. With that said, he was the only back that looked even vaguely threatening against Scotland.
Tom Roebuck – 4.5
A tale of extremes. Excellent against Wales and bright in patches versus Italy and France, but endured a nightmare outing against Scotland, where nothing stuck. Still offered an aerial presence, but not the force he was in the autumn.
Henry Arundell – 4
From hat-trick hero in round one to a nightmare in round two. His red card against Scotland proved hugely costly and, while he remained a threat with ball in hand the following week against Ireland, he never quite recovered momentum. Didn’t seem suited to the game plan Borthwick wanted to execute.
Elliot Daly – 4
Thrown back into the fold later in the Championship, Daly was there to bring experience and a new attacking dimension. Unfortunately, some glaring defensive lapses cost England the game against Italy, and his positioning was questionable for a couple of French tries. Provided some nice touches from full-back, though, going forward.
Cadan Murley – 5.5
A bright spark on a bleak day in Rome in his first appearance of the Championship. He was excellent in the air against the Azzurri, before a mixed showing against France, where his inexperience showed.
Marcus Smith – 5.5
Consigned to bench cameos of differing success throughout the Championship. The game was won when he came on against Wales, it was a rescue mission against Ireland (whereby he assisted a try soon after coming on), was barely given any time at all against Italy and scored from the bench in Paris and looked a threat. Most noticeably, strangely, was his absence against Scotland.
Centres
Tommy Freeman – 7
One of England’s more consistent performers despite the chaos around him. Shifted between centre and wing and adapted well, carrying hard and finishing strongly, scoring what looked to be the match-winning effort in Paris. Still developing, but a positive in the midfield.
Fraser Dingwall – 4
Started the Championship well as a facilitator against Wales, but faded badly as England’s attack collapsed. Struggled to impose himself against stronger defences and was part of the cohort that was cast aside after round three.
Ollie Lawrence – 5
Brought power and directness in his one appearance against Ireland, but was badly exposed defensively. A knee injury then ruled him out.
Seb Atkinson – 6
A late introduction who showed flashes of promise, particularly against France where his link-up play with Freeman hinted at a potential partnership. Still raw at this level, but encouraging signs.
Fly-half
George Ford – 4
Entered the Championship on a real high after a barnstorming 2025, but it quickly went sour. From orchestrator-in-chief against Wales to a player devoid of any confidence by round three. His performances against Scotland and Ireland were particularly concerning, with poor kicking and a lack of control. Lost his place in the squad as the Championship unravelled.
Fin Smith – 6
Deployed as a centre in the shambles in Murrayfield, but that was more down to Borthwick’s poor construction of a 6-2 bench. His performance against France was his best of the Championship, by far, showing composure and creativity, although his kicking from the tee was a touch wayward.
Scrum-half
Alex Mitchell – 7
Bright against Wales and was one of the few good performers against Scotland, but a hamstring injury after 20 minutes against Ireland cut his campaign short. Still England’s go-to No.9.
Ben Spencer – 7
Canned by Borthwick after the loss in Scotland, a position that is all too familiar for him this tenure, but was recalled for the final two rounds after Mitchell’s injury. Controlled territory well against Italy, where England had the upper hand when he left the field and was the catalyst to the far more promising attacking display against France. Was probably England’s most consistent back, on balance.
Jack van Poortvliet – 6
Thrown into difficult situations, particularly against Ireland, where England were on the back foot, and against Italy, where England were capitulating. Grew into matches nicely and looked sharp in Paris, delivering what should have been a match-winning pass to Freeman. Brings a lot from the bench, which seems to be his preferred role.
Front-row
Ellis Genge – 6
A Championship of extreme highs but some damaging lows. Had some errors in his displays that really hurt England, but also took every scrum he came up against apart. Was England’s second-most reliable carrier in the pack behind Ben Earl when the team seemed light on carriers.
Jamie George – 6
Reliable and composed when called upon, particularly at the lineout, where he finished the campaign with 97.8 per cent success. Added leadership in difficult moments and maintained a steady level throughout.
Luke Cowan-Dickie – 4
A tough Championship. His two starts against Scotland and Ireland did not go well, which resulted in him being hooked before half time against the Irish. Never fully recovered and wasn’t relied upon.
Joe Heyes – 8
One of two players who can hold their head high and say they played well in every game. Strong defensive ethic, and alongside Genge spearheaded the most destructive scrum in the Championship.
Bevan Rodd – 5
Afforded the opportunity to play throughout the Championship due to Fin Baxter’s injury, but didn’t really stake a claim to be in an England matchday squad consistently, but that was partly down to the lack of time he was given.
Trevor Davison – 4
Limited opportunities throughout the Championship made it difficult to leave a mark. Solid enough in his primary role, but with so few scrums and so little time on the field, he struggled to influence proceedings in any meaningful way.
Second-row
Maro Itoje – 6
Had his minutes managed in the opening three rounds and looked out of sorts. Appeared to be on the right trajectory in Italy before a yellow in the second half, which left his side hamstrung. Like many, he salvaged some pride with his final performance, and finished with the joint-most turnovers in the Championship.
Ollie Chessum – 7.5
One of England’s strongest performers, and on reflection, only had one outing he could be disappointed with – an error-strewn display against Ireland, resulting in his benching against Italy. Physical, athletic and versatile, his two-try performance at flanker at the Stade de France was maybe the standout display of England’s Championship.
Alex Coles – 6
Started three of the five matches, and proved he is better served as a starter rather than a substitute, allowing him to outwork his counterparts. Lacked the defining moments that Itoje and Chessum can produce, but was workmanlike nevertheless.
Six Nations
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
France
5
4
1
0
21
2
Ireland
5
4
1
0
19
3
Scotland
5
3
2
0
16
4
Italy
5
2
3
0
9
5
England
5
1
4
0
8
6
Wales
5
1
4
0
6
Back-row
Ben Earl – 8.5
England’s player of the Championship, and fairly comfortably. Relentless in every match, whether England were dominant or collapsing. Tireless on either side of the ball, with his 95 carries being the third-most in Championship history.
Guy Pepper – 6
Scapegoated slightly after the Scotland loss by being benched for the Ireland match, before returning to start the final two rounds. A steady Championship after a very bright autumn, but didn’t do enough to demand a starting spot.
Sam Underhill – 5.5
A rare dip from England’s defensive lynchpin. Poor against Scotland, which saw him replaced at half time and struggled for consistency. Brought his trademark physicality, but that spilt over into a yellow card against Italy, which was damaging.
Tom Curry – 5
Lacked the influence many have come to expect from the British & Irish Lion, and, in truth, didn’t look himself. A calf injury moments before the Italy match ruled him out of the Championship, leaving him with only one start, against Ireland, where England’s back-row were thoroughly outplayed.
Henry Pollock – 6
Handed his first start against Ireland, where he didn’t let himself down despite some criticism. At this moment in time, he seems better suited as an impact from the bench, which he provided against France, producing a rip in the dying seconds, only to force a pass and lose the ball. A sign of immaturity, but he’s only just turned 21, we must remember.
Chandler Cunningham-South – 3
A peripheral figure across the Championship, restricted to brief cameos in the final two matches. Simply wasn’t given the platform to build any momentum. One for the future rather than the present, but he started regularly in 2025, meaning this can only be viewed as a backwards step.
