“Abysmal” – Six England players who flopped against Samoa in Lille

Securing their path through the pool stages, England clinched victory with a late try by Danny Care, overcoming a deficit in the match held in Lille.

Despite having already secured the top spot in the group, Borthwick saw the 18-17 win as a timely and necessary challenge for his team, setting the stage for their forthcoming quarter-final clash.

Borthwick stated, "It was the kind of test we needed going into [the quarter-finals] next week. There will be a lot of learnings from it, and we will make sure we take them into next week."

In the following sections, we will evaluate the performances of six players who may not have impressed against Samoa in Lille.

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Telegraph 5/10: "Ruled route one but when decision-making and deftness were needed, the centre was found wanting. Defensively aimless, Lawrence might be a better foil to Ford-Farrell if England persevere."

Telegraph 4.5/10: "Began like an express train, making two huge breaks and giving the assist for the Chessum try on nine minutes. It was as if the reinstatement of the old 10/12/13 combination last used from the start in March 2020 was a smart call but the reunited band then started hitting some very bum notes and an overwhelmed-looking Tuilagi was pulled on 58 minutes not long after Ford had also exited."

position for Samoa’s second try, leaving Steward to scramble in vain."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "It was his break that scattered the Samoan defence on 18 minutes in the lead-up to the infringement that gave Farrell his points record, but that was about it for him on the ball and he will instead be remembered for ineffectively clinging onto a leg of the tr-scoring Ah-Wong minutes later. England need a hurry up in this position, with May not looking the part."

RUCK 4/10: "We’re uncertain why he continues to be selected over the lightning-fast Henry Arundell, Seemed to spend the whole afternoon running sideways"

Telegraph 4/10: "England’s captain led admirably in defence, became his country’s all-time leading point-scorer - ending Jonny Wilkinson’s 22-year reign - but he was rusty. The shot-clock gaffe was a howler."

Telegraph 5/10: "Executed a sublime first-half turnover which sent George clear; only the slightest of Tumua Manu knock-ons saved his bacon after a skewed box-kick looked to have handed Samoa their third try."

RUCK 4/10: "Delayed around the breakdown, constantly putting England under pressure."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The scrum-half was very lucky a Samoan try on the back of his poor box kick was ruled out. A great player on the front foot but one that could improve when managing the game when under pressure."

Evening Standard 5/10: "Caught out of position, a rarity, for Samoa’s cross-field kick try."

Rugby Pass 5.5/10: "Started confidently, acting as the crucial link in the creation of the ninth-minute Ollie Chessum try, and he was also rightly praised for ripping Sama Malolo of possession with the line beckoning on 26 minutes. Caught out a few minutes later, though, Lima Sopoaga’s sweet crosskick eluding him and finding Ah-Wong instead. Struggled from there on, like so many of his teammates."

Telegraph 5/10: "Executed a sublime first-half turnover which sent George clear; only the slightest of Tumua Manu knock-ons saved his bacon after a skewed box-kick looked to have handed Samoa their third try."

Evening Standard 5/10: "Slipped off the lofty perch he set for himself with his shining turn against Argentina, with his core skills looking rusty."

RUCK 4/10: "Delayed around the breakdown, constantly putting England under pressure."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The scrum-half was very lucky a Samoan try on the back of his poor box kick was ruled out. A great player on the front foot but one that could improve when managing the game when under pressure."