Wales player ratings vs England | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
Wales player ratings: A young Welsh side was asked to go to Twickenham and show some fight. That they did. Daring on attack and ferocious around the breakdown, they made England look ordinary at times.
But a distinct lack of quality, as well as enough heft, meant they couldn’t get the better of England’s rush defence. Red runners were smothered by white shirts and when the match coalesced into a struggle of will, the team with more nous won out.
Wales will be proud, but also annoyed that they let this slip. They’re not necessarily a better team than England. But they were mostly better here which is why some high scores are found below.
15 – Cameron Winnett – 8
Didn’t merely catch high balls and hoof them back. He showed maturity and composure, looking up with the intent to impact the game. And when fielding under pressure he demonstrated the strength to keep the ball alive. gets extra points for a one-on-one tackle on the much larger Tommy Freeman that saved a try early in the second half.
14 – Josh Adams – 5
Solid, but mostly on the periphery. Still, strength and quick feet in the close exchanges meant he beat several defenders. When he finally had space on 56 minutes, he neither had the pace to burn round the last defender or enough might to hold him up. That felt like a big moment with the score reading 8-14. Hooked on the hour for Mason Grady.
13 – George North – 5.5
Was mostly quiet but had the most penetrating run of any Welsh back looking to punch through England’s line. Needed to have more of those impacts with ball in hand, but his larger frame was a weapon on the counter ruck. One shove in particular on 67 minutes procured a turnover against a possible overlap.
12 – Nick Tompkins – 4
Struggled to provide any strike force through midfield. Also guilty for giving the ball away after a 24 phase move when he recklessly chucked an off-load from the ground. Worse perhaps was the custard-soft penalty he gave away when Adams kicked from his own in-goal area to gift England three points.
11 – Rio Dyer – 6.5
This felt like a more senior, accomplished performance from Dyer. His darting runs – like the one where he reached the safe ty of his 22 after collecting a pass under his own poles – weren’t just brave, they were calculated. Also frenetic on defence, shutting down width.
10 – Ioan Lloyd – 7.5
Dallied on the ball and, like a sacked quarterback, was monstered by Maro Itoje under his own sticks. That ended with Ben Earl running over Lloyd to score. But that was one blight. The young fly-half was brave and skilful, showing great ambition in his play when kicking or running. Could have benefited from more punch through the rush, but didn’t need a midfield thanks to his sniper-accurate cross-kicks. Showed that last week’s tricks weren’t just a consequence the hopeless situation. Made way after the 80th minute for Cai Evans.
9 – Tomos Williams – 6.5
It was his frenetic spark that turned the game against Scotland last week. Here he showed a more controlled side to his game. Nothing too flashy, he continued to find his close-in runners and – mostly – his areas when box kicking. Replaced by Kieran Hardy with seven minutes to play.
1 – Gareth Thomas – 6
Won a big scrum penalty after a stodgy sequence when the game was scoreless, allowing Wales to scratch out a foothold. Sinned when he went early on another scrum when Wales had the feed on England’s line. Mostly good though. Lasted 58 minutes before Corey Domachowski replaced him.
2 – Elliot Dee – 6
On a long list, it was the line-out that was most abject in Wales’ game last week. Dee’s accuracy here meant England wouldn’t get handed free balls at the set-piece. It was a brave call to go to the back of the line within striking distance, but it worked and Wales won a penalty try from the subsequent maul. Good in the loose as well. Subbed on 55 minutes for Ryan Elias.
3 – Keiron Assiratti – 6
Showed aggression at the breakdown and contributed in the loose. Held his own in the scrum. Replaced by Archie Griffin on 55 minutes.
4 – Dafydd Jenkins – 4.5
A totem at the line-out, he lacked enough grunt to punch holes through the rush defence. Wanted the ball. Battled to get go-forward when he had it.
5 – Adam Beard – 5
A hefty presence at set piece, he couldn’t replicate that anywhere else on the park. Wales had the upper hand on a few metrics, but their engine doesn’t have the requisite torque to boss around the fringe. Replaced by Will Rowlands on 69 minutes.
6 – Alex Mann – 6.5
Scored his Test second try after as many matches thanks to lovely supporting run for Williams after Tommy Reffell bust through a gap. Was too easily brushed off by Earl and perhaps needed a bit more grunt at times. But was busy, getting himself about, acting as a presence. Sometimes that’s enough. Switched for Taine Basham on 69 minutes.
7 – Tommy Reffell – 9
Outstanding. A typical all-energy show that also included world class touches. Having just carried up-field a minuter before half-time, he got up, carried again, stepped, off-loaded and found Williams on his inside. That ended with Mann’s score but it was Reffell’s try. Was also a menace at the breakdown, coming up momentum swinging steals in both halves, and made more tackles than any other Welshman. Elite.
8 – Aaron Wanwright – 7
Wales’ best player last week continued his form here. Rangy runs, athletic grabs under high balls, he also offered a target at the line-out.
16 – Ryan Elias – 5
Hit first jumper but missed his most important throw when Wales had to chase the game.
17 – Corey Domachowski – 4
Asked to join the scene by scrumming against Dan Cole. Didn’t struggle as much as fellow substitute Archie Griffin, but didn’t win his personal duel.
18 – Archie Griffin – 3.5
Struggled against the vastly more experienced Ellis Genge and gave away a penalty which was kicked into the corner. Made a handful of tackles to earn half a mark.
19 – Will Rowlands – n/a
Came on too late to impact the game.
20 – Taine Basham – n/a
Came on too late to impact the game.
21 – Kieran Hardy – n/a
Came on too late to impact the game.
22 – Cai Evans – n/a
Brought on after the 80th minute.
23 – Mason Grady – 0
It might seem harsh to put too much emphasis on his 70th minute yellow card – for a deliberate knock-on in his own 22 as English backs formed on his outside – but that was his most significant contribution. The result was England taking the lead for the first time. If that’s not a score of 0 then one doesn’t exist.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji 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!
5 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 …
33 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.
5 Go to comments