England Player Ratings v Italy

England Player Ratings v Italy

England belatedly got their 2021 Six Nations campaign up and running with a routine 41-18 bonus-point win against Italy at Twickenham.

Here is how we rated Eddie Jones' players against Italy:


 

15. Elliot Daly - 6

 
Kept his width well to score his try in the second half. He assisted a try nicely too and was safe at the back. He entered the attack in the wider channels well. 
 
 
 
14. Anthony Watson - 8
 
Showed off his wonderful footwork and devastating pace with his two tries. Watson was one of the biggest benefactors of England's improved attacking display making well over 100 running metres while he went looking for work around the park too. 
 
 
He also didn't embarrass himself packing down at flank and no.8.
 
 
 
13. Henry Slade - 7
 
Far more involved this week than he was last. Defended well and almost made the most of his chance to score in the 25th minute. 
 
Did well to put his wingers in space regularly and took the ball to the line well too making over 60 running metres. 
 
 
 
 
12. Owen Farrell - 6
 
 
Made a key intervention as Italy looked to score in the latter stages of the game. Arguably lucky to get away with his tackle on Varney and didn't hide his frustrations with referee Mike Adamson. 
 
 
A few fumbles and under par kicks from hand.
 
 
 
 
 
11. Jonny May - 8
 
 
 
Took his try superbly and ventured into the midfield looking for work. Beat defenders with ease and continued to chase kicks well. While his hands let him down last week, May was secure under the high ball and even grabbed a tough pass and pinned Italy back in their 22. 
 
 
 
 
10. George Ford - 8
 
 
The attack fired far better with Ford in the #10 jersey. He slipped off the tackle for the Italians' second try but Ford controlled the attack wonderfully mixing his kicking and passing well. 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Ben Youngs - 6
 
 
 
Solid game from the test centurion. Service was swift although slow at times while his kicking game was good enough. Had a few snipes. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Mako Vunipola - 6.5
 
 
 
Solid performance on his return from injury. Made his tackles, carried strongly and was solid enough in the scrum.
 
 
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - 7
 
Lineouts darts all hit his jumpers, he carried strongly and managed to beat a few defenders. Made all of his attempted tackles and had a strong 52 minutes overall. 
 
 
 
 
3. Kyle Sinckler - 8
 
 
 
 
Scrummaged well enough despite a penalty or two against him. He passed well in the build up to Watson's first try. His distributing was a key part of England's improved attack.
 
 
Took the man of the match award.
 
 


 
 
 
4. Maro Itoje - 6.5
 
 
 
A slow start with an early spill from the kick-off but that did not spoil his game. Made some good metres with ball in hand, won a few turnovers and was strong on defence. 
 
 
 
Spent a lot of the game in the rucks. 
 
 
 
 
 
5. Jonny Hill - 7.5
 
 
Did well to finish his try and went on to assist Watson with a nice pass. Did his job and did it well before he was given a breather in the 51st minute. 
 
 
 
 
6. Courtney Lawes - 7
 
 
 
Looked to make an early impact and was arguably unlucky to be penalised for a deliberate knockdown. Great hands set up the try for Anthony Watson. 
 
 
Strong in all facets of the game and played his part in fixing England's troubles at the lineout. 
 
 
 
 
 
7. Tom Curry - 8
 
 
 
A trademark Curry game with excellent defence, strong carries to the line and contested the breakdown well. Made a nice offload that created the break for Daly to score.
 
 
 
 
 
8. Billy Vunipola - 6
 
 
 
Charged around the pitch well. Made a nice tackle on Varney with England under pressure and charged down Garbisi well which almost lead to a try.
 
 
 
Pulled after 59 minutes. Far better performance compared to last week. 
 
 


Replacements:
 
 
16. Jamie George - 6. Picked up where Cowan-Dickie left off
 
 
17. Ellis Genge - 6.5. Strong carries off the bench. Had issues at the scrum which he did rectify later. 
 
 
 
18. Will Stuart - n/a. Got just three minutes on the pitch.
 
 
 
19. Charlie Ewels - 5. Didn't do anything wrong but was somewhat quiet for 30 minutes.
 
 
 
20. Ben Earl - 6. Busy on attack and defence.
 
 
21. Jack Willis - n/a. Massive six minutes with a pilfer and a try before he was forced off with a nasty injury.
 
 
 
22. Dan Robson - 7.5. An attacking threat throughout. His quick tap lead to the try for Willis while he sniped well and kept the attack ticking over nicely.
 
 
 
 
23. Max Malins - 5. Got 16 minutes and while he didn't do much wrong, he didn't touch the ball.

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