England player ratings vs France: Star tipped for Lions call

Saturday, 21 June 2025 at 17:14

byHarrison Clifford

England player ratings vs France as Steve Borthwick's men put on a show but fell to defeat in their end of season clash at the Allianz Stadium.

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England fell to a dramatic 26-24 defeat against a determined France XV in a non-capped thriller at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – despite leading deep into the final minutes.

Steve Borthwick's side looked to have done enough after Alex Dombrandt powered over following Cameron Woki’s red card, putting England in the driving seat.

But having already lost Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to a first-half red card, England ran out of steam in the closing stages. France struck back with a close-range score before Romain Taofifenua crashed over with the clock in the red.

Antoine Hastoy then kept his cool from the tee to slot the decisive conversion, sealing a dramatic comeback for Fabien Galthie’s men in scorching London heat.

England Stats:

Carries: Tom Willis - 15
Metres made: Tom Willis - 57
Defender's beaten: Tom Willis - 4
Turnovers conceded: Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - 2
Tackles: Guy Pepper - 8

England player ratings vs France:

15. Joe Carpenter – Sale Sharks 7/10

Willing to attack in the air under the highball, but lacking English defence meant the French were able to turn over easily. A great try scored.

14. Tom Roebuck – Sale Sharks 6.5/10

Calm on the high ball and great footwork to swerve through the French defence before he was finally taken down.

13. Henry Slade – Exeter Chiefs 6.5/10

Henry Slade belongs with England rugby. It could have something to do with his 72 caps, but he’s so comfortable in that kit on that field. His ball play was excellent with passing and kicking alike, giving England space to breathe and keeping the French moving.

12. Seb Atkinson – Gloucester Rugby 7/10

A debut to be proud of, great under the ball and making an effort to stop the French from moving, and giving England some great yards to let Ben Spencer give the ball to Alex Coles and score a try.

11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – Exeter Chiefs (Yellow card 34 minutes / upgraded to red at 38 minutes) – 2/10

Great speed and strength on the wing, but struggled to keep hold of the ball when it was essential (over the goal line). Lacking in discipline when tackling the French side which saw him sent off with a yellow card, and off-field review upgraded it (very quickly) to a red for a high tackle.

10. George Ford (Co-Captain) – Sale Sharks 7/10

Great kicking game with a fantastic 50:22 kick within the first 2 minutes. Ford is back with a vengeance and has made an excellent crowd-pleasing performance. The atmosphere is parallel to the boos he received in the autumn international fixture against Australia, and he was cheered by all for his conversions. Though some passes, and conversions, were missed, George Ford is making a statement that he belongs here.

9. Ben Spencer – Bath Rugby 7/10

The Nine is typically the guy who turns up to the back of the scrum and conducts the ball to go where it needs to go, but Spencer was that, and got involved in the rucks being the first man at the breakdown. Not a position I imagine he’s used to, but something he definitely can do!

1. Fin Baxter – Harlequins (Off at 55) – 7/10

Who made a mark in English history last time England played France at Twickenham scoring a try, but he shone in the scrums this fixture; keeping good height, discipline, and composure to push well against the notorious French scrum.

2. Jamie George (Co-Captain) – Saracens (Off at 67) – 9/10

No doubt some emotional vendetta today. Having the captaincy stripped, almost quitting international rugby, Jamie George had to put everything on the line to earn his captaincy again, and he did. He has the stamina of a back, he’s at every breakdown no matter where on the pitch, and always keeps his energy levels up.

3. Joe Heyes – Leicester Tigers (Off at 60) – 8/10

There is no greater sight than a forward making a great run to what could and should have been the try of the match. Sadly tackled down and not enough support, Joe Heyes was denied points. Great height in the scrums, and ball recovery in the field of play.

4. Alex Coles – Northampton Saints – 7/10

Not a great start by giving away two penalties for entering the ruck at the side. But he redeemed himself with scoring points with a great try in the first half of the game! An excellent performance by the Saint.

5. Nick Isiekwe – Saracens (Off at 69) – 6.5/10

Someone who’s possibly underrated as an international player. Always where he should be and pushing beyond what he surely believed he could still do. Nick Isiekwe made great efforts in the scrum and breakdowns.

6. Ted Hill – Bath Rugby – 5/10

Though he made a stamp as a forward, it was somewhat underwhelming for the Bath forward. He did his job and it was difficult, especially in this heat, but something extra was needed, and it would’ve made him stand out.

7. Guy Pepper – Bath Rugby (Off at 60) – 5/10

Similar to Hill, he did his job, and he did it well. But something was missing, which could’ve been fantastic! Nonetheless, a performance he should be proud of!

8. Tom Willis – Saracens (Off at 55) – 8/10

Zero fear when taking the ball in and running hard against the defence wall. Brilliant at getting involved in the ruck. Scoring the first points for England, and playing great in attack.

REPLACEMENT:

16. Theo Dan – Saracens (on at 67) 5/10

A solid effort from the forward, and shame of the result. His shining moment of his England career arguably coming from the 2023 World Cup, he’s a tough act to follow himself for sure.

17. Bevan Rodd – Sale Sharks (on at 55) 4/10

Not much can be said about Bevan Rodd in this fixture, mainly in that something exceptional was also missing. The team was on the up and silly errors from all forwards (not just him) led to the demise. Lots to think about for the summer internationals.

18. Trevor Davison – Northampton Saints (on at 60) 6/10

Some slight discipline issues by giving away a penalty for side entry, but a great show of strength in the scrums; good height, power, and composure when things didn’t go his way.

19. Chandler Cunningham-South – Harlequins (on at 69) 5/10

He made good impact in the breakdowns, but he needed to carry that through his whole performance. He’s been solid in previous appearances at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, so this was just such a shame to see.

20. Jack Kenningham – Harlequins (on at 60) 6/10

Made a great effort in the second half to keep the momentum up that the forwards had done. There we issues in the maul, but made up for them in pressure against the vistors.

21. Alex Dombrandt – Harlequins (on at 55) 6/10

Forwards making tries! Yes please! Dombrandt was in the right place at the right time, scoring the first OFFICIAL try of the second half. Some defensive issues at the game continues so there’s lots to happen in training camp.

22. Raffi Quirke – Sale Sharks (On at 65) 6.5/10

A failed successfully tackle, it didn’t take down the French winger, but it did stop him fro, gaining any yards. Phenomenal defence in not letting go of the French and preventing a try, keeping that huge point gap.

23. Oscar Beard – Harlequins (on at 52, replacing Feyi-Waboso) 6/10

Replacing Feyi-Waboso is supposed to be a tough act to follow, but after today it was anything but. Beard took over after the 20-minute red card and he put in a shift. It was a shame he didn’t come on sooner.

Quiz! Can you name every player from England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup squad?

The England team were dubbed ‘Dad’s Army’ by the rest of the world (mainly Australians) but everyone secretly knew England coach Clive Woodward had the best side around.

This quiz tests your knowledge of that heralded group of 22 players who took on and beat the Wallabies in their own backyard on November 22, 2003.

Some of these are significantly easier than others.