England vs Ireland: Player-vs-player preview ratings
From Grand Slam hopefuls gunning for a historic third-successive title to trying to salvage anything from a disastrous campaign, England’s Six Nations will reach a dramatic conclusion this Saturday at Twickenham.
Meanwhile, Ireland head to London hoping to secure just their third ever Grand Slam, on St Patrick’s Day no less, trying to avoid the party-spoiling efforts of England, a role that was reversed this time a year ago.
Both sides have now been named for the highlight fixture of the final round and we have rated each player ahead of the contest.
- Anthony Watson 7.5 vs Rob Kearney 7.5
Watson went well against France, dealing with the aerial balls and one-on-one defensive scenarios – the areas Mike Brown is considered to hold an advantage over him in – well, but couldn’t quite impose himself on the game as much as he would have liked. If it’s a conservative game at Twickenham, you’d still fancy the basics of Kearney to win out in this duel, but if it opens up at all, Watson holds the advantage.
- Jonny May 7 vs Keith Earls 8
Earls may be the most underrated player in rugby, period. Of late, he seems unable to put a foot wrong on the rugby pitch. He may not have the same level of acceleration that May does, but the all-round game is certainly something which leans in his favour. If both teams deny the other space with their aggressive defences, expect Earls work rate to see him shade this one.
- Jonathan Joseph 8 vs Garry Ringrose 7.5
Ringrose turned in a sparkling performance against Scotland and Joseph has been quiet in attack this year, but this could be the game he re-finds his verve. With Ben Te’o inside him, as well as other selections such as Kyle Sinckler and James Haskell, we should see Joseph on the front-foot much more on Saturday. If you can get him there, he’s deadly and he’ll be a stern test of Ringrose’s defensive decision-making.
- Ben Te’o 7.5 vs Bundee Aki 7.5
Aki probably shades this contest in terms of form, but this will be Te’o’s first opportunity to start at 12 in the championship, a position he performed so well in for the British and Irish Lions in the summer. Both players will be tasked with getting their sides over the gain-line and there’s not a whole lot to separate them in that regard.
- Elliot Daly 8 vs Jacob Stockdale 8
Daly has an array of skills that Stockdale would love to have, but the Irishman is in sublime form and everything he touches is currently turning to gold. Stockdale’s defensive reading of the game, something which is often criticised at Ulster, has been almost blemish-free with Ireland over the last two months.
- Owen Farrell 8 vs Jonathan Sexton 8
This is a battle of two masters of the position. For Farrell, it’s an audition to return to the 10 jersey full-time, whilst for Sexton it is an opportunity to show that whilst he is advancing in years, he is still as good as anyone at the position. This contest will be dictated by the fortunes of the respective forward packs, as much as it will be by either player’s own skill.
- Richard Wigglesworth 7 vs Conor Murray 8.5
Wigglesworth coming in for Care has been something that has brewing since Ben Youngs went down with injury and he should help deliver England more control and direction. As international nines go, though, Murray delivers as much as anyone in the northern hemisphere. Murray’s stock has stayed high as the competition has gone on, whilst England have realised how reliant they are on Ben Youngs.
- Mako Vunipola 7.5 vs Cian Healy 7.5
Vunipola has looked fatigued this campaign ever since a thunderous performance against Italy and what might normally have been an advantage for the Englishman is much closer on current form. Healy has been in solid, if not spectacular form, and has done enough to keep recent Lion Jack McGrath on the bench.
- Dylan Hartley 7 vs Rory Best 7
Perhaps not a match-up that will excite the casual fan, but it’s a fascinating battle in the set-piece, at the least. Hartley has been immaculate with his lineout throwing so far in the championship, whilst Best is as good a scrummaging hooker as you’re likely to find in the Six Nations. They may not be game-breakers, but they can be relied upon to fulfil their roles well.
- Kyle Sinckler 7.5 vs Tadgh Furlong 8
It’s an opportunity for Sinckler to stake his claim to start, with the Harlequins prop looking fresh and impactful off the bench last week and certainly someone capable of improving England’s ability to break the gain-line. Stacking up your accomplishments against Furlong is an unenviable position to be in, however, with the Irishman setting the standard at the position, even if, like Vunipola and McGrath, he’s not quite at his absolute best following the Lions tour.
- Maro Itoje 7.5 vs James Ryan 7
Ryan is the coming force in Irish rugby, with many people labelling him “Ireland’s Itoje” but it’s a learning process for the young lock. He’s had some impressive moments so far in this championship, as well as some significant mistakes. Itoje is looking a bit flat following the Lions tour and being tasked with a lot of the arduous duties in the tight, but he still edges this contest, a contest which should be box office for years to come.
- George Kruis 7 vs Iain Henderson 7.5
It’s been a little while now since Kruis started for England and his form dipping has played a part in that, whilst Henderson has looked strong this year, especially as a ball-carrier. It’s probably the one area where Henderson outmatches Kruis, with both players very effective in defence and at the set-piece.
- Chris Robshaw 7.5 vs Peter O’Mahony 8
England’s Mr Reliable going up against Ireland’s Mr Reliable. Both players will empty the tank at Twickenham and have the conditioning to turn in valuable 80-minute performances, but O’Mahony’s edge at clearing out defending players at the breakdown and securing quick ball for Ireland just gives him a narrow advantage.
- James Haskell 7.5 vs Dan Leavy 7.5
Experience and carrying in the tight will favour Haskell, whilst defensive breakdown work will fall significantly in Leavy’s favour. Given England’s weaknesses at the breakdown in recent weeks, it’s an area Leavy will be hoping to have a lot of success on Saturday, whilst Haskell will be keen to lay down a marker and not only win back his England spot full-time, but also earn a new contract for next season in the Aviva Premiership.
- Sam Simmonds 7 vs CJ Stander 7.5
A solid display against Italy was encouraging for Simmonds, but we still haven’t seen him step up and show that he can be an international No 8 long-term. With England bringing in extra ball-carriers, this could be the game where Simmonds gets the space to excel, but conversely, Ireland will be up in his face regularly with their line-speed. Stander isn’t in the domineering form he was last season, but he still brings a very well-rounded game to the position and can impact the match in multiple ways.
Totals
England – 111.5
Ireland – 115
Comments on RugbyPass
Exciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
11 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh 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 their @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?
3 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!
3 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.
11 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 comments