Player ratings: In the winners' circle
OPINION: Eddie Jones and his England team wrapped up their Nations Cup campaign with a fortuitous win against France.
It required 15 minutes of extra time, but they have some more silverware.
Alex Shaw rates the England players!
15. ELLIOT DALY – 5/10
Daly struggled with the boot today, kicked out on the full and too much on a couple of up ‘n unders. Looked for work in the midfield but couldn’t crack the French defence.
14. ANTHONY WATSON – 7
Effective in the kick chase and was one of the few England backs to offer a threat on attack. Opportunities though, were limited
13. HENRY SLADE – 5.5
Slade managed to show his value as a ball carrier at times but lacked incisiveness in the midfield and couldn’t get his wings away outside of him.
12. OWEN FARRELL – 6
Farrell struggled with the boot today after an early miss only slotting four from nine kicks and was unable to get the backline clicking or contain the French midfield on attack. He did nail a clutch conversion to tie the game in the 80th minute as well as slotting the winning kick in extra time.
11. JONNY MAY – 6
Like Watson, May tirelessly looked for work during the game and for the most part effectively. However didn’t have many chances in space or get the ball in his hands.
10. GEORGE FORD – 6
Ford began by asking questions of the French defence with a couple of clever kicks as did a few of his skipped passes but there were kick that were too long for the English chasers and the backline struggled to fire. Not great…but not bad either.
9. BEN YOUNGS – 6
Needed to take more control of the game in the first half when there were opportunities to move the ball and find space. Looked much improved and sharper in the second half and was an important part of England’s increase in tempo and attacking threat.
8. BILLY VUNIPOLA – 6.5
A quiet game by his standards. His usual physical dominance at the gain-line on either side of the ball was missing although his defence in the second half was exemplary.
7. SAM UNDERHILL – 6
Underhill was a bit of a mixed bag today and was his usual impactful self in defence and at the breakdown but this was offset by some indiscipline at the contact area and in his maul defence.
6. TOM CURRY – 7
Was a tower of strength as he repeatedly smashed away at the French defensive line as a ball carrier as well as bringing physicality and line speed in defence. Pick of the English forwards
5. JOE LAUNCHBURY – 6
Has some positive moments at the breakdown slowing French ball down but was unable to repeat his efforts of the previous week against Wales.
4. MARO ITOJE 6.5
Not as influential as some of the performances he turns in but a solid one, nonetheless.
3. KYLE SINCKLER – 6.5
With England not having the domination in the scrums they would have liked against an inexperience French tight five early on they did manage to turn the screws in the second half where Sinckler was heavily involved bringing loads of energy to the loose as well
2. JAMIE GEORGE – 5.5
Not his usual flawless self at the set-piece as Cameron Woki put lots of pressure on the England line-out.
1. ELLIS GENGE – 6.5
Scrummed well and was a willing ball carrier but it wasn’t the sort of England performance where he could shine in his quest for the no.1 jersey.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. LUKE COWAN-DICKIE – 7
Nailed the line-out late in the and also scored the try that tied the game – a good physical carrying presence for England.
17. JOE MARLER – 7
Made a couple of really good carries and tackles after replacing Genge – scrummed powerfully too.
18. WILL STUART – 6
Held his own at the set-piece but struggled to get his hands on the ball.
19. JONNY HILL – 6
Replaced Launchbury tacking and rucking manfully but didn’t make enough of a statement to warrant replacing the Wasps man on a permanent basis.
20. BEN EARL – 7
Utilised his footwork well to make a nuisance of himself for the French defence and also brought some much needed variety in the carry. Was a major contributor to England’s comeback.
21. DAN ROBSON – 6
Another contributor to England’s comeback as they upped the tempo in the second half
22. MAX MALINS – 7
Added visible impetus and energy running hard at gaps in the defence with speed and intent and was rewarded with some impressive line breaks.
23. JOE MARCHANT – not used.
Source: RugbyPass
