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England A ratings vs Portugal | 2024 Welford Road
Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, was present and wanted to see some of the country’s best talent operate at a higher level but this game was a mismatch and any report card on the men in white would have to come with an asterisk pointing out the limitations of the opposition. The display of Harry Randall, the Bristol No.9, was impressive and he made the most of the contest which ended 91-5 to the home side.
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The lopsided result has to be tempered by the fact that this was not the first-choice Portugal team that defeated Fiji 24-23 at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France. None of that side appeared in this fixture which gave the next group of young Portuguese players the opportunity to make their case for a step up. However, on this showing they do not have enough strength in depth and conceded more than a point a minute in the first half.
On this evidence, England would have got more out of a match against their U20 team as the opposition just did not have the necessary quality at this level.
England A
15 Josh Hodge (Exeter Chiefs) – 6
Covers the back field well thanks to his outstanding pace and showed glimpses of this in attack. Solid in defence and benefiting from a run of games now that he is full fit after injury set backs.
14 Cadan Murley (Harlequins) – 7
Proven finisher he collected a hat-trick although he did make a couple of errors in attack including putting boot to ball when keeping it in the hands was the order of the day against a fractured Portugese defence.
13 Oscar Beard (Harlequins) – 6
Played a good linking role in first half before having to switch to the left wing. Does all of the basics well and strong in the tackle. Used this match to enhance his position as a quality back and was eager for work
12 Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby) – 7
Brought his A game to the A game and looked the part in a back division given plenty of ball to work with. Direct and powerful, he is going to be a real option in the mid-field for the senior squad. Dropped the ball over the line to blot his copybook.
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11 Will Muir (Bath Rugby) – 6
The rangy wing is always looking for work and showed both his pace and willingness to chase box kicks and makes his presence felt in the tackle. Lots of talent looking to play on the wing for England. Limped off early in second half.
10 Charlie Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby) – 8
Missed his first three conversions but this did not affect his confidence. Controlled the attacking game with assurance and has a good range of passes. A clever chip brought one of the many tries.
9 Harry Randall (Bristol Bears) – 9
One poor kick was the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding performance by the live wire scrum half. He could be England’s answer to Jamison Gibson-Park offering rapid service and a real eye for a gap.
1 Fin Baxter (Harlequins) – 6
Would have liked more chances to show his play with ball in hand but scrummaged strongly and put his shoulder to the wheel at the driving mauls to build on his reputation as a prop who can step up to the next level
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2 Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons) – 6
Hit is his jumpers and enjoyed himself in a game that suits his style of play which is akin to an extra flanker. Couple of handling mistakes but overall he showed how many quality hookers in England.
3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers) – 7
Got better as the game progressed, showed a ball carrying quality that is needed by those hoping to impress Borthwick and added power to an England scrum that dominated the opposition
4 Rusiate Tuima (Exeter Chiefs) – 8
Lots to like about this big guy. Lifts well at the line out and adds real power to the scrum as the tight head lock. Made some good ground in the loose , got a try and also put in some big tackles in defence.
5 Charlie Ewels (capt) (Bath Rugby) – 6
Dominated the line out and remains a quality operator in this area. Led the team with a quiet authority and confirmed his place as one of the many options England have in the boiler room
6 Tom Pearson (Northampton Saints) – 8
Appearing on the wing, winning line outs and generally being a real problem for the Portuguese team, he is a player who deserves to be given a chance in the senior team and loves a workload
7 Guy Pepper (Newcastle Falcons) – 6
Made more of an impact as the game progressed picking up a trade mark turn over and working hard a real problem in the contact area. Couple of handling mistakes will have annoyed this talented player
8 Alfie Barbeary (Bath Rugby) – 6
Only half a game for the Bath player whose reputation preceded him which meant double tackles on him negated early charges but got his try and worked hard in the close quarter stuff before knee injury.
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Sam Riley (Harlequins) – 6
Got a try as soon as he came on.
17 Tarek Haffar (Northampton Saints) – 5
Added to a strong England scrum performance.
18 Josh Iosefa-Scott (Exeter Chiefs) – 5
The big man was too strong for his opposite number
19 Ben Bamber (Sale Sharks) – 5
Joined an England pack that attacked at will.
20 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs) – 5
Filled the role vacated by Barbeary confidently.
21 Caolan Englefield (Gloucester Rugby) – 5
Built on the good work of Randall – also lively.
22 Jamie Shillcock (Leicester Tigers) – 5
A try and some conversions made it a happy debut.
23 Oliver Hartley (Saracens) – 5
Added yet more strong running to a rampant England back line.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments