Six Nations: Player evaluations for England following significant victory against Wales
England commenced their Six Nations journey impressively on Saturday, achieving a decisive 48-7 victory against Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Fly-half George Ford distinguished himself with a man-of-the-match display, but who else shone as England secured their win?
Below are ESPN’s player ratings from the match on Saturday.
1. Ellis Genge – 7.5
Perhaps fortunate not to receive a yellow card early in the match. Performed well in the scrum but found himself in a few challenging situations.
2. Jamie George – 8
Managed the lineout effectively and, importantly given the game’s context, interacted with referee Pierre Brousset very professionally. He was a consistent annoyance for his Welsh opponents in a positive manner.
3. Joe Heyes – 7.5
Displayed strong ball-carrying abilities. Was actively involved throughout the match and made several notable runs.
4. Alex Coles – 7
Worked well alongside Chessum and executed several key tackles. He consistently puts in the effort. A solid performance as he filled the gap left by Maro Itoje.
5. Ollie Chessum – 8
Provided a significant physical presence for England. Made several powerful runs and crucial tackles on multiple occasions.
6. Guy Pepper – 8
Continuously sought out loose balls and performed admirably throughout the full 80 minutes. He is becoming a vital player for England.
7. Sam Underhill – 7.5
Strong at the breakdown. Underhill is reliable and consistently meets expectations.
8. Ben Earl – 8
Exerted a tremendous physical effort, putting his body on the line, which greatly benefited England.
9. Alex Mitchell – 7.5
Played intelligently, capitalizing on available spaces when England had them and positioning his team effectively.
10. George Ford – 9
A masterclass in kicking. He pressured the Welsh back three throughout the match. His varied kicking and orchestration contributed significantly to the comprehensive victory.
11. Henry Arundell – 8.5
Scored three relatively straightforward international tries but showcased his speed and skill whenever he had possession. It was encouraging to see him back on the scoresheet.
12. Fraser Dingwall – 7.5
Complemented the more active Freeman well and defended robustly. Another solid all-around performance.
13. Tommy Freeman – 8
Put in a strong effort throughout the match, making several good runs to put England on the offensive. Earned a well-deserved try at the conclusion.
14. Tom Roebuck – 7.5
Relatively quiet but finished his try effectively. Performed well considering the late call-up.
15. Freddie Steward – 8
Handled high balls effectively. Made several strong runs from deep to initiate their attack.
Replacements:
Luke Cowan-Dickie: 7.5
Bevan Rodd: 7
Trevor Davison: 7.5
Maro Itoje: 6.5
Tom Curry: 6.5
Henry Pollock: 8
Ben Spencer: 7
Marcus Smith: 7.5
