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England failed to rebound from their Calcutta Cup loss, going down 22-16 to France in Paris, with Ireland being crowned Six Nations champions with a round still to go.
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Eddie Jones’ side struggled to break down a dogged defensive performance from Les Bleus and looked like a team far, far from their best.
We have broken down each player’s performances and rated their outings from Saturday evening.
- Anthony Watson – 6
Made a couple of scything forays into the back line, as well as looking a threat when the ball was kicked deep. Didn’t see quite enough ball to stamp his name on the 15 jersey and an unfortunate – but warranted – yellow card will mar what was a solid performance at the Stade de France.
- Jonny May – 5
May didn’t see much of the ball in Paris and when he did, there was little incision from the left wing. He popped up late on the opposite wing and finished off a good move from England, but there’s not too much more to write.
- Ben Te’o – 6
Ran hard and straight at the French line and was reliable in defence when called upon. He lacked the gain-line-busting power and lines which made him such a valuable weapon for the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand, though.
- Owen Farrell – 6
One of the quietest performances Farrell will have had in any jersey, let alone an England one. He was successful with his two kicks and defended well, but didn’t have much else to do in a very one-dimensional England performance.
- Elliot Daly – 6
Overran Farrell in a first half move that could have ended in a try, but he was generally error-free in a quiet return from injury. Made a neat one-touch offload for a try and successfully kicked one long-range penalty from within England’s own half, and though not decisive today, he will be a welcome weapon in England’s armoury moving forward.
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- George Ford – 5
Another quiet performance from Ford, who couldn’t pull the strings and manoeuvre England in the way he has become accustomed to doing over the last two years. Didn’t make any obvious errors, but also didn’t create any moments of attacking opportunity for England.
- Danny Care – 6
A similar story to Care’s recent performances. He’s not doing too much wrong, but he isn’t injecting the tempo he usually does from the bench, nor is he providing the control and contestable box kicks that Ben Youngs does.
- Mako Vunipola – 6
The loosehead had some early success – at least in the eyes of the referee – against vaunted tighthead Rabah Slimani, winning two penalties at the scrum in the first half. He did isolate himself on a couple of pick and goes, though, in a mixed bag of an outing in Paris.
- Jamie George – 5
George hit his jumpers on seven of his eight lineouts but didn’t bring the ability in the loose that everyone knows he is capable of. Knocked on twice when receiving relatively sympathetic passes and has left the door open on Dylan Hartley’s return.
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- Dan Cole – 6
Held up well against a powerful French tight five, but couldn’t make the impact in the loose he would have liked. Struggled to clear out the French forwards as efficiently as he would have wanted, as England – as a whole – struggled to generate the quick ball they needed to hurt their hosts with tempo.
- Joe Launchbury – 5
The power and industry Launchbury showed in the opening two games of the championship has been lacking in the two since. He has not been wildly below par, but he has struggled to make the ground on his carries that he did earlier in the tournament and, like Cole, isn’t clearing with the same efficiency on England’s attacking ball.
- Maro Itoje – 6
Itoje has been criticised for his lack of ‘Hollywood moments’ this season, but that’s not what he’s being asked to do by Jones. He is asked to do the arduous work in the tight and he did deliver, more or less, in that area against France. Stole a lineout, cleared out and tackled for 80 minutes.
- Courtney Lawes – 8
An all-action performance from Lawes, with the flanker stealing two French lineouts, charging down a French kick and scything down ball-carriers, including forcing two knock-ons. He also carried strongly, ‘winning’ the collision and keeping England moving forward.
- Chris Robshaw – 7
A real nuggety, industrious performance from Robshaw, who didn’t stop in Paris. Forced a couple of turnovers out of France and was one of the more effective English forwards at attacking rucks.
- Nathan Hughes – 6
Went down with an injury in the 23rd minute and didn’t have too many opportunities to impact the game prior to that.
Replacements
- Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Offered more in the loose than George did, although admittedly against a tired French side. Overthrew a critical, late lineout.
- Joe Marler – 6
A player who arguably warrants a start against Ireland and looked fresh relieving Vunipola in the second half.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7
One of the players to bring real positive impact from the bench with his carrying. He deserves an opportunity to start.
- James Haskell – 6
Offered a more physical carrying option after replacing Launchbury. Tried to hold up a couple of French carriers but struggled to keep them from the ground.
- Sam Simmonds – 5
The No 8 got a solid 60 minutes on the pitch thanks to Hughes’ injury but couldn’t find the space he enjoyed against Italy and, to a lesser degree, Wales.
- Richard Wigglesworth – 6
The late impact role is not one Wigglesworth is built for. Limited opportunity to influence the game.
- Jonathan Joseph – 6
Brought a bit more comfort handling the ball in the English midfield but again, limited opportunities to affect the game.
- Mike Brown – 6
Came on late and didn’t see much of the ball, as the game broke up and England pushed for a late winner.
