England player ratings vs Ireland as Steve Borthwick's men fell to yet another narrow defeat against the reigning champions in Dublin
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Ireland powered to a bonus-point victory over England in Dublin, kicking off their quest for a third consecutive Six Nations title with a dominant second-half performance.
Despite a sluggish start from the hosts, England debutant Cadan Murley crossed early to give the visitors a well-earned half-time lead. Jamison Gibson-Park’s try was Ireland’s only score in the opening 40 minutes, but after the break, Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, and returning hooker Dan Sheehan touched down to secure the win in Simon Easterby’s first game as interim head coach.
For Steve Borthwick, it marked a sixth defeat in seven matches. England, who had impressed early on, managed late consolation tries through Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman but must now regroup before hosting France next week.
Scroll down for England player ratings vs Ireland.
Ireland 27
- Tries: Jamison Gibson-Park (34'), Bundee Aki (51'), Tadhg Beirne (63'), Dan Sheehan (72')
- Cons: Jack Crowley (64', 72')
- Pens: Sam Prendergast (55')
England 22
- Tries: Cadan Murley (08'), Tom Curry (75'), Tommy Freeman (80')
- Cons: Marcus Smith (09',80')
- Pens: Marcus Smith (40')
England player ratings vs Ireland:
Ellis Genge - 7/10
Given the job of being a prominent carrier for an undersized England pack and put in some huge hits against a galloping Ireland pack that helped stem the flow when Ireland were on top in the first half. The loosehead was on the wrong end of a few decisions from referee Ben O’Keefe at scrum time and looked a bit tired in the second half.
Luke Cowan-Dickie - 7/10
The Exeter hooker,probably picked for his size, put it to good use as he carried hard and well with England's early pressure. The 31 year old added to the jackal threats across the English pack with a great turnover on their own line and did not stop fighting all evening
Will Stuart - 6/10
A relatively quiet evening for the Bath man around the park, got a bit of the edge at scrum time and hit hard in defence against some big Irish attackers contributing to a huge English defensive effort at times.
Maro Itoje - 7/10
First start as captain and in the first half he was back to his annoying best. Sam Prendergast was getting sick of looking up and seeing him in his sights straight away, he was also a nuisance at ruck time in a clear attempt to slow down the Irish ball. However, in the second half he got pinged with a few tight calls and struggled to rally his side to launch a response until the game had run away from them.
George Martin - 7/10
Tasked with providing the physical edge and size that the starting XV lacked, Martin found himself as a very willing carrier early and was smashing Irish forwards all evening. It’s a shame as it looked like it became a job too big for him in the second half but I do think it was more Ireland playing well than England falling off too much.
Tom Curry - 7/10
Picked alongside his brother in a speed over size backrow to hit Ireland’s backdown and that job was very much fulfilled. The Curry’s targeted every breakdown all evening and was also a jumper in the lineout, adding to his performance with a try late on.
Ben Curry - 8/10
What a performance from the openside, the Sale breakdown specialist was fighting for everything at the breakdown and was a real nuisance for Ireland when they had the ball. Whether that was tackling green mountains or slowing down Irish ball, Prendergast will be seeing him in his nightmares.
Ben Earl - 7/10
The Saracen’s man filled in at eight in a very lightweight and mobile back row but was his usual lively self and was everywhere early on. Him and the rest of his backrow typified the early pressure from England with some ferocious and energetic carrying and put pressure on the Irish attack all evening.
Alex Mitchell - 6/10
Came back from injury sustained with his club Northampton but looked lively with the ball in hand and kept the ruck speed high early on. However he soon missed a tackle against James Lowe for Ireland's first try and that set the tone for most of his defensive work, I do feel pity for him as Lowe seemed impossible to take down at times.
Marcus Smith - 5/10
There was a lot of talk beforehand about who was starting at 10 and early on it looked like that problem had been solved. Smith found gaps early on to either go through himself or put others through, threatening with quick ball and looked to play and explore in the first 20 or so minutes. However once he was sin binned for repeated penalties after being offside from a lineout he struggled to get back going again and found himself unable to get the England attack going again.
Cadan Murley - 5/10
The debutant scored England’s first try with some good speed to get on the end of a kick through and defended his wing well. However he struggled under the high ball though and didn’t let a ball run dead that he probably should have, looked like the pressure got to him at times but understandable because having your debut at the Aviva is no easy feat.
Henry Slade - 5/10
We had thought this centre pairing had been tried and tested and not really worked out but today we were shown otherwise. Playing most of his rugby at ten for Exeter this season Slade brought that playmaking ability to the floor, Spotting the space in behind for Cadan Murley’s try and putting in an inch perfect grubber through. His overall handling and defence was good but once again struggled to stem the Irish onslaught in the second 40.
Ollie Lawrence - 6/10
Looked really physical early on and marshalled Bundee Aki in the midfield battles really well, defending a lot at set piece in the 12 channel but like others he went quiet in the second half as the home team came alive.
Tommy Freeman - 6/10
Showcased his pace in flashes when England were on top but then wasn’t his usual hungry self in attack often sticking to his wing instead of looking for work as much and when he did he struggled to make a dent until his try late on where he shook off a couple of defenders.
Freddie Steward - 5/10
Was imperious under the high ball again but never got going in attack and was stepped far too easily for Gibson-Park’s try. He has shown glimpses of his talent around the pitch at club level but is yet to unlock it at test level.
REPLACEMENTS:
Theo Dan - 6/10
The home side looked a lot stronger by the time he came on so it was unlikely he was going to get his carrying game going. I feel for the subs as it was a challenge that few could answer with the game running away from them. On the flip side the replacement was strong at the set piece so there are positives to take home for him.
Fin Baxter - 6/10
Was brought on late on and couldn’t really get going ball in hand.
Joe Heyes - 6/10
Came on in multiple cameos and was a willing carrier when he was on the pitch and was solid at set piece and scrum time but was up against it late on and while he was happy to offer himself around the pitch he struggled to stand out at all.
Ollie Chessum - 6/10
Looked decent when he came on but couldn’t find enough to turn it around.
Chandler Cunningham-South - 6/10
ot pinged for a late tackle on an Irish jumper which was very close but ultimately the correct decision, the flanker looked physical with the ball in hand though but didn’t carry enough to show it.
Tom Willis - 6/10
Been tearing it up for Saracens this season and had small glimpses of carrying ability but like others these were too few and far between for it to be impactful. I reckon if he comes on when England are in the ascendancy it's a completely different rating.
Harry Randall - 6/10
Came on late on when Ireland were well on top and messed up a box kick going high and then losing it. Struggled to get the England attack going again until their last minute revival.
Fin Smith - 6/10
Didn’t really have too much time to have an impact, especially when a lot of that was without the ball.
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You’ll have to be red-hot to get 15/15 in this 2010s Six Nations quiz
The Six Nations Championship, Europe’s premier rugby tournament, has delivered unforgettable moments and showcased some of the game’s greatest players.
From stunning tries to epic battles, the 2010s were packed with rugby brilliance.
Can you name the players who lit up the tournament during this golden decade? You’ll need to be on top form to get 15/15—are you up for the challenge? Let’s kick off!
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