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England’s disastrous 2018 Six Nations came to a lacklustre conclusion at Twickenham today, with Ireland winning just their third-ever Grand Slam, as the home side were downed 24-15 by the visitors, on a memorable St Patrick’s Day.
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We’ve rated each England player, as they fell to a disheartening third-straight loss and closed the book on a Six Nations campaign that, for all the wrong reasons, will live long in their memories.
- Anthony Watson – 5
A game to forget for Watson, really, with the full-back leaving the pitch after 33 minutes with an injury. He would have wanted to do better competing in the air for the ball with Rob Kearney – even if it was a knock-on by the Irishman – with the spilled ball leading to Garry Ringrose’s try.
- Jonny May – 5
England didn’t really get themselves into any positions to use their wings in an offensive situation, apart from the two moments that led to tries for Elliot Daly. Unfortunately for May, England seemed to be at their most effective moving right to left. Grabbed a late consolation try.
- Jonathan Joseph – 5
Not too many opportunities for Joseph at Twickenham, with the outside centre making a couple of half-breaks but otherwise being well-marshalled and denied of front-foot ball. He does, however, continue to impress with his reading of the game and his linking of the inside and outside defence.
- Ben Te’o – 5
Te’o carried strongly on a couple of occasions but looked a way away from the marauding inside centre that the British and Irish Lions saw in New Zealand last year. The Irish defensive line did a very good job of keeping Te’o quiet.
- Elliot Daly – 7
Looked the most dangerous of the England outside backs and grabbed deserved reward for his efforts with a brace of tries. Between his footwork and his deft kicking game, he was the only England back to genuinely keep the Irish defence honest. A fumbled ball and a late rip by Ringrose frustrated England and tarnished an otherwise impressive performance.
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- Owen Farrell – 8
Even in a badly disintegrating England team, Farrell continues to show his class. His weighted kick for Daly’s try was pinpoint, whilst his breaks and passing were one of the few sources of creative and incisive attack for England.
- Richard Wigglesworth – 6
Gave England an improved level of control, but his trademark box-kicks were made to look less effective than they are with Saracens due to a poor kick chase from the rest of the side. Covered well in defence, too.
- Mako Vunipola – 7
Looked a bit more dynamic around the fringes than he had done in the previous three matches. He was powerful repelling Irish pick and goes, as well as offering a reliable source of front-foot ball.
- Dylan Hartley – 6
Lost his first lineout of the tournament but was still successful with eight of his nine throws. He did his defensive work efficiently in the tight, too, without offering too much threat as a carrier.
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- Kyle Sinckler – 5
Coughed up penalties in the first half for early engagement and being off his feet at the breakdown – partly due to Chris Robshaw trapping him in over the ball – and couldn’t bring his usual dynamic carrying to the park.
- Maro Itoje – 5
A tough day at the office for Itoje, who leaked penalties in the first half. His one for offside was almost understandable, with offsides rarely called, but his two for grabbing the inside arm of his opposing jumper at the lineout caused England to lose significant position on the pitch. Grew into the game, making a couple of strong carries in the second half.
- George Kruis – 5
A rough return to the England starting XV, with the Saracen coughing up possession a couple of times in the first half, spilling a pass and being ripped by Ireland. He did empty the tank in defence, though.
- Chris Robshaw – 6
Cost England a penalty when he trapped Sinckler in at the breakdown but redeemed himself with a stronger second half, carrying with purpose and helping to keep England moving forward.
- James Haskell – 5
Like Kruis, it wasn’t the return to the England XV that Haskell would have wanted. He was brought in to bring power and momentum but was largely reduced to a role bringing pressure in the defensive line.
- Sam Simmonds – 5
A very quiet performance for Simmonds. With the selection England went for, this was never going to be the scenario for him to excel and his four carries were not enough to get England moving forward. Put himself about in defence, though, as England struggled to control possession in the first half.
Replacements
- Jamie George – 5
Conceded a penalty immediately after coming on and, not for the first time, failed to bring the dynamic performance off the bench that he had previously done with abandon in the last two seasons.
- Joe Marler – 7
The Harlequin brought impact, including strong shoves at his first two scrums, as well as an important try-saving tackle on Ringrose and low, powerful carries.
- Dan Cole – 6
He came on and scrummaged strongly but the “finisher” role is not one Cole was built for. He did what was asked of him, but with England chasing the game, there was a limit to what he could do.
- Joe Launchbury – 6
Carried strongly off the bench and at least brought a dynamic to the 23 that seems more effective than the one provided by Kruis as the bench second-row.
- Don Armand – 6
Opportunities few and far between for Armand to impact the game, following his late arrival in the second half.
- Danny Care – 6
Like Armand, England were scrambling and chasing the game by the time Care came on. He didn’t play badly but didn’t have too many opportunities, either.
- George Ford – 5
Didn’t really change the way England played after he replaced Joseph and Farrell moved out to inside centre. Without a pack that he can rely on to put him on the front-foot, he has struggled this campaign.
- Mike Brown – 7
Solid impact off the bench after replacing Watson in the first half. Read the game well defensively, as well as popping up with a smart one-handed offload to unleash Daly for his second try.
