Wales player ratings - vs England
Another Six Nations comeback helped Wales beat England 21-13 at the Principality Stadium to secure a national record 12th successive win and maintain their bid for a Grand Slam in Warren Gatland’s final year in charge.
Gatland had said after the France victory that this was a squad that does not know when it is beaten and that was certainly proven in Cardiff.
Trailing 13-9 with less than a quarter of the game to go, a fine cameo from Dan Biggar and tries from Cory Hill and Josh Adams saw the hosts home.
Scotland and Ireland now stand between Wales and a clean sweep. Here is how the home players rated on Saturday evening.
Liam Williams – 9
Dealt with England’s kicking game superbly and as ever offered an attacking threat at the other end of the pitch. A masterful performance was best summed up late on when he raced onto his own up and under on the right touchline, won the ball and had the presence of mind to roll out of harm’s way.
George North – 8
Despite wearing 14 on his back, North switched to the left wing where he gave England problems. Williams and Adams will rightly get the plaudits but this was a game in which the back-three functioned as a collective unit. Eager to come off his wing to look for work and played a pivotal role in Hill’s try.
Jonathan Davies – 7
His best performance of the Championship so far. Defensively sound, making all seven of his attempted tackles, and also a valuable link in attack in the second half.
Hadleigh Parkes – 6
Not someone to shirk responsibility or workload, Parkes put in a commendable shift in Cardiff although this was not his finest performance in a red shirt. Was willing to carry into narrow channels and alongside Jonathan Davies made sure there were no gaps in the Wales midfield.
Josh Adams – 8
Has become a vital cog in Gatland’s Wales machine and enjoyed possibly the finest game of his burgeoning Test career. Having switched wings with North was able to keep in-form Jonny May relatively quiet throughout and was a constant nuisance when Wales had the ball – not least when outjumping Elliot Daly to score a brilliant try.
Gareth Anscombe – 7
Entrusted with playmaking duties and did everything that was asked of him. In trying circumstances during the first half, he kept probing and trying to put the hosts on the front foot while his ability from the kicking tee kept Wales in touching distance. Set the tone for the fight back in doing so and ensured that Biggar had a platform to build on.
Gareth Davies – 7
Proved again that he is the best Welsh scrum-half currently available to Gatland at present. His box-kicking remains a slight issue but he possesses an expert eye for a gap and was able to relieve pressure at key moments. Also got through a huge amount of work in defence, tackling Owen Farrell and Jack Nowell in the same move at one point.
Rob Evans – 7
Kept Kyle Sinckler quiet at scrum time, winning a key early free kick as the England prop was adjudged to have collapsed the set piece. Got through his fare share of defensive work and also offered a carrying option.
Ken Owens – 8
An early wobble at the lineout aside this was an excellent performance from the Scarlets hooker. He made 13 carries in all as he tirelessly looked for work during the 77 minutes he was on the pitch. The fact he stayed on so long highlights exactly how important he is to Gatland’s side – and the Welsh rugby public.
Tomas Francis – 7
Picked opposite his club-mate Ben Moon and came out of that battle in credit. Was part of a strong scrummaging performance and got through a lot of work defensively, making eight tackles in all.
Cory Hill – 8
A fine performance was rewarded with his third international try. Hill was picked for his ability around the park and while Wales did not seem to play to his strengths in the first half, he became an increasingly important figure in the second. Eager to look for work throughout and took his try exceptionally well.
Alun Wyn Jones – 8
Led by example in the Wales engine room. Happy to carry the ball into tight spaces – doing so 15 times in all – and put his body on the line for his team on more than one occasion. Might not appear near the top of the tackling charts but was usually in the right place at the right time to disrupt England’s attack when needed.
Josh Navidi – 7
Has arguably been Wales’ standout forward in the Championship so far and put in another tireless display at the Principality Stadium. Led his team’s tackle chart with 12 and was a constant nuisance to England. Does the things that go unnoticed – and does them remarkably well.
Justin Tipuric – 7
Was harshly adjudged to have committed a no-arms tackle early on and got caught out for Tom Curry’s opening try. But this was another impressive performance from the Ospreys back-row who offered so much on both sides of the ball. Got through 10 tackles and linked play well in the loose.
Ross Moriarty – 7
Continues to prove himself a more than able deputy for Taulupe Faletau at the base of the scrum. Took the game to England from the first whistle until he was replaced late on, finishing the game with 30 metres gained from 20 carries. It is easy to forget that this was only his second start since the middle of December.
Replacements
Elliott Dee – N/A
Only came on for the final three minutes as Wales closed out victory.
Nicky Smith – 7
Came on for the final quarter and ensured that the Welsh scrum kept moving forward. Looked for work on both sides of the ball.
Dillon Lewis – 7
Another who came on for the final quarter and helped Wales close out the win. Is a real carrying threat and useful over the ball.
Adam Beard – 6
Replaced try-scorer Hill for the final nine minutes and kept Wales on the front foot.
Aaron Wainwright – N/A
Only came on for the final three minutes as Wales closed out victory.
Aled Davies – N/A
Another who came on in the final four minutes to see the hosts over the line.
Dan Biggar – 9
Emerged from the bench to steer his side to victory. Provided the control that the team needed in that situation and provided an impetus in attack. Played a major role in both of his side’s tries, exploiting a tiring English defence ruthlessly.
Owen Watkin – N/A
Came on for Parkes in the final minute with the game won.
Comments on RugbyPass
I think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
61 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
8 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
61 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to comments