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Player ratings: Which England players impressed against Italy?
By Matt Merritt at York Community Stadium, York
Today’s scoreline wasn’t quite as one-sided as perhaps the Red Roses might have expected against a defensively dogged Italy side, but John Mitchell’s charges nevertheless ran out as 38-5 winners to start their Six Nations campaign with a win.
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Tries from Mia Venner, Emily Scarratt, Claudia MacDonald, Amy Cokayne and Emma Sing ensured that, even with a line-up full of interesting picks from the Red Roses coaches, the reigning champions never had to get out of third gear.
Here’s RugbyPass’ take on how well every player performed.
1. Kelsey Clifford (off 51 min) 6/10
Showed her class in set piece as part of a front row who absolutely dominated in the scrum. Quiet around the park but defended well when called upon.
2. Amy Cokayne (off 60 min) 7.5
Perfectly pitched lineout throws, effective carrying and perfect placement to score England’s fifth try. Cokayne showed why she should be one of the first names on John Mitchell’s team sheet for big games.
3. Maud Muir (off 51 min) 6
Made some monstrous carries in the first half without ever hitting the heights of her performance in last week’s PWR final.
4. Rosie Galligan (off 60 min) 8
Phenomenal work rate in defence and relentless carrying led to what might be Galligan’s most complete performance in an England shirt. She’ll be frustrated to have knocked on while in the process of scoring, but the resulting penalty try was fair reward.
5. Lilli Ives Campion 6.5
Cool and considered, defensively very solid and a threat at the set piece. Early days in a Red Roses uniform, but seems the heir apparent to Abbie Ward.
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6. Zoe Aldcroft (c) 7
Does the things you don’t notice and does them perfectly. Never put a foot wrong and marshalled her team excellently.
7. Marlie Packer (vc) (off 55 min) 6.5
Gave away a penalty in the lead up to Italy opening their scoring and was a shadow of her usual ferocious self. Still put herself into every ruck and had her hand up for the ball, but without the results we have become so used to.
8. Maddie Feaunati 7.5
A huge threat in attack, seems like a natural eight and carries like someone born into the role. Needs to learn when to go and when she might be better to pass, but nonetheless a huge threat in attack and awarded BBC’s Player of the Match.
9. Lucy Packer (off 66 min) 7.5
A buzzing presence at every ruck or maul, Packer’s speed of ball was key to the Red Roses relentless early pressure. Always seemed to know the right pass to open up play.
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10. Helena Rowland (off 60 min) 5
Put her hand up as an option at fly half, but didn’t really do anything to make the shirt her own. Notably kicked into touch and nearly handed Italy a second try of the afternoon.
11. Claudia MacDonald 6.5
What a joy to see MacDonald, who has had a torrid time with neck injuries, return to the international stage and score a lovely try in the process.
12. Holly Aitchison 7.5
Notably caught offside early in the second half but did little else wrong. Released an inch-perfect up and under for MacDonald’s try and her distribution was just as accurate to set up Venner for the game’s first score. Worked hard defensively and came into the game when she moved to fly half.
13. Emily Scarratt 7
Not the dynamic carrying threat she once was, but still a danger, consistently opening up space with her kicking game, scoring a try and dictating the tempo of play.
14. Mia Venner (on 66 min) 7.5
Marked her second cap (and first start) almost immediately with a well-taken try to open England’s account. Continued to carry well and threaten with ball in hand. Came come close to scoring subsequent tries with frequent darting runs.
15. Emma Sing 8.5 – RUGBYPASS PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Rock solid under the high ball, dangerous when running and everywhere in defence. Sing might have been a little less accurate than her usual best off the tee, but will have given John Mitchell some food for thought with her performance. Finally scored a well-deserved try in the waning minutes of the game.
16. May Campbell (on 60 min) 6
Quiet, but did nothing wrong and threw well when called upon.
17. Hannah Botterman (on 51 min) 7
Carried hard from the moment she joined the fray. Seemed to put 60 minutes of energy in the 30 she had on the pitch.
18. Sarah Bern (on 51 min) 7
Showed why she is one of the best in the world with her carrying drawing so many blue shirts in every time. Carried like a juggernaut.
19. Abbie Ward (on 60 min) 6
A steadying presence to close out the game.
20. Sadia Kabeya (on 55 min) 7
Would have had England back on the scoresheet after a long 30 minutes plus stretch in the second half had the pass she received not been forward. Carried hard, defended fiercely and showed why she should be starting the big games.
21. Flo Robinson (on 66 min) 6
Showed a few glimpses of why she has been brought into the team. A steady debut to build on.
22. Jade Shekells (on 60 min) 6
Carried strongly, but made a couple of silly mistakes. Raw talent is there on debut, and will no doubt get another look in this tournament.
23. Ellie Kildunne (on 66 min) 6.5
Made a trademark run into space but was tackled off the ball with little effort by Azzurri opposition. Not on long enough to make an impression.
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Sing - 6 out of 10, kicked some conversions and plodded down the wing a couple of times. Muir 8 out of 10, made a number of piercing runs and part of a dominant front row. Clifford 7.5 out of 10, effective around the park and scrummaged well. Venner - 6 out of 10, easy try but failed to convert other opportunities that Kildunne, Dow, Breach, MacDonald and Millie David would have eaten for breakfast. Shekells 7.5 out of 10, looked a very promising prospect at number 12. Perhaps I watched a different game?
all fans and media people alike see what they want to and ratings are often just a quick reaction after a match,and many are often swayed by players they like or favour. I really dont see how sing according to this pundit put in a player of the match performance-she didnt really do much-solid but not spectacular. Venner played fine-she just does not have the extra pace likes of kildunne,dow,breach do and they would have scored a couple of the chances venner had but missed. there does seem to be a lot of gloucester fans who are very vocal online and cant seem to lay their club colours aside for england.every gloucester player should start according to them!