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
How did it end a draw. South Africa didn’t score any points as far as I can see
2 Go to commentsNo doubt this will be a fantastic occasion and I plan to be there, but I think the bean counters have won out over the rugby brains. In my opinion, it is foolhardy to give the Black Ferns the experience of playing in front of 60,000+ at Twickenham a year before they might be playing there in a World Cup Final. Better to play France at Twickenham and Black Ferns at Kingsholm. The difference in takings would be miniscule.
1 Go to commentsDom kant
191 Go to commentsBen is a little incel desperately trying to stir the pot and stay relevant. We used to get mad at his articles. Now we just feel sorry for him
191 Go to commentsPerhaps we may need to put an asterisk on NZ’s ‘87 WC win since the Boks weren’t there. You know, just as a reminder. Poor Ben Smith. Go cry somewhere else.
191 Go to commentsNz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
2 Go to commentsThanks for a much more balanced piece Ned and not that BS that Bin Smuth just posted a short while ago. read this article and then Bin Smuth’s and tell me there isn’t a huge difference🙄
2 Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
2 Go to commentsOne does not expect anything more from Ben Smith who epitomises the worst of New Zealand media arrogance and an inability to balance what he has to say about any team that beats the All Blacks. His reference to context is pathetically thin. He does not comment that Frizell deserved a red card given his blatant manipulation of his body to ensure that he could drop his body weight onto Mbonambi’s lower leg. No mention of the ball lost forward before the All Black’s try (lost in-field of the 5 metre line and gathered beyond). The All Black commitment and effort was superb and there was little in it. Given the Springbok passage to the final and the loss of their hooker in the first three minutes, their resolve and capacity to win their fourth final out of eight attempts (not three out of ten) deserves the praise that has been forthcoming from media around the world, worth reading and listening to. Ben should join his “pundit” friends on TV - he would fit in well. This sort of article reduces any credibility Rugby Pass has ever had. Why persist with this sort of nonsense? The man does his country and a rugby blog a disservice.
191 Go to commentsEtzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
3 Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
191 Go to commentsIt’s going to be a good game. COYQ
1 Go to comments“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
156 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
191 Go to commentsLook, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
191 Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
3 Go to commentsI’ve read loads of nonsense before but this article takes the cake. Or perhaps someone changed the date for April Fool's Day.
3 Go to commentsReally Rugbypass? Ben Smith I think you forgot what the Springboks did to the All Blacks at Twickenham 8 weeks earlier? Springboks 35 All Blacks 7. There is alot of ifs and buts in your article. The All Blacks threw the sink at the Springboks and unfortunately they were not good enough regardless if they played with 14 men or not. It was the Springboks who forced the All Blacks to make mistakes! Sorry but not Sorry the Springboks is the best ever Rugby World Cup Nation in the world. 4 Cups baby!
191 Go to commentsYou just backed the Boks with that fantastic review! Well done! Have some cake!
191 Go to commentsBen Smith please write up something better than this. The Springboks would have won the world cup if you were 15 men on the field. They would have found a way, they always find a way to beat the All Blacks.
191 Go to comments