England player ratings vs Ireland: 2026 Six Nations

Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 16:09

byCharlie Elliott

England player ratings vs Ireland as Steve Borthwick's men suffered another defeat to end their 2026 Six Nations title chances.

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Ireland claimed a stunning 42–21 win at Twickenham, condemning England to a second straight defeat in the 2026 Six Nations.

Ireland struck first through Jack Crowley’s early penalty before seizing control with a clever quick tap from Jamison Gibson-Park that caught England off guard. Momentum surged as Stuart McCloskey sliced through the defence, allowing Gibson-Park to release Rob Baloucoune for a simple finish. Baloucoune soon turned provider, dummying past Tommy Freeman to spark a counter-attack finished by Tommy O’Brien. Crowley’s boot stretched the lead to 22–0 before Fraser Dingwall crossed just before half-time, with George Ford converting to make it 22–7.

England’s hopes suffered when debutant Henry Pollock was sin-binned early in the second half. Ireland capitalised instantly, Dan Sheehan powering over from close range. England responded through Ollie Lawrence after fine work by Pollock, and Ford’s conversion reduced the deficit to 29–14.

However, Crowley punished England’s indiscipline with two further penalties, and Jamie Osborne sealed an emphatic victory with a superb late try. Sam Underhill grabbed a late consolation, but Ireland’s five-try display secured a memorable away triumph.

Scroll down for England player ratings vs Ireland:

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England: 21

Tries: Dingwall (40'), Lawrence (53'), Underhill (75')
Cons: Ford (40', 53',76')
Pens:

Ireland: 42

Tries: Gibson-Park (19'), Baloucoune (28'), O'Brien (29'), Sheehan (43'), Osborne (69')
Cons: Crowley (20', 30', 44')
Pens: Crowley (3', 58', 66')

England player ratings vs Ireland:

15 Freddie Steward — 2

A very poor showing from the Leicester Tigers fullback, who was dragged off just before half-time. Not very effective in the air and was very lucky to be let off by the referee after dropping one and setting Jamison Gibson-Park free, and was punished minutes later in the build-up to Ireland’s second try, getting a yellow card after a late hit on Gibson-Park.

14 Tommy Freeman — 4

A pretty mixed bag for the Saints winger, who had both positive and negative moments in the air, as well as generally. Made a good interception to stop a dangerous attack, but then was faked far too easily by Robert Baloucoune for Ireland’s third try. Not hugely effective really.

13 Ollie Lawrence — 6

Offered far more in the carry than has been seen the past couple of games, making some incredibly powerful runs and bouncing off a few defenders. Was breezed past too easily for Ireland’s second, but slightly made up for it with a score of his own, albeit from very close range.

12 Fraser Dingwall — 7.5

Some tidy hands overall, and a try and assist for the perennial ‘link-man’. Actually a very solid performer today, even within a faltering attack.

11 Henry Arundell — 2

Poor last week and poor today. Not good enough under the high ball for the way England play, and was caught out on so many occasions. Got into a few decent positions on the ball and failed to make an impact with any of them. Surely someone else gets a go in Rome in two weeks.

10 George Ford — 3

Grew into the game as it went on, but the fact that he missed touch twice in the first-half, and was subsequently jeered by the crowd every time he kicked, shows how poor of a day it was for his high standards. Some of the decisions he made were strange, and England’s attack struggled as a result.

9 Alex Mitchell — 6

Tried to make things happen in the opening stages, with a moderate but underwhelming level of success. Unfortunate to be subbed off with an injury midway through the first-half.

1 Ellis Genge — 7.5

Went very well in the scrum, winning a couple of penalties early on against Tadhg Furlong, and contributed reasonably well with a few big carries, but did miss a catch from close-range when England were in the midst of a dangerous attack. One of a few players who responded well to last week.

2 Luke Cowan-Dickie — 2

Dragged off only 29 minutes in after a shocking showing that included some poor lineout throwing, general ineffectiveness and poor defending on more than one occasion. Didn’t turn up at all.

3 Joe Heyes — 7

Scrummaged pretty well and got his hands on the ball a fair few times, as well as making a good recovery catch while facing his own try-line. Was unfortunately left on his own to defend Gibson-Park for Ireland’s first try, however a prop can’t be marked down too much for being outpaced by a scrum-half.

4 Maro Itoje — 3

Not the 100th cap that he would have wanted, starting off with a lineout of his stolen by Tadhg Beirne, and finished after only 55 minutes. Understandably hasn’t looked at his best recently with personal issues, and looks like he needs a rest for his own good.

5 Ollie Chessum — 3

Another forward who just wasn’t at his usual standard. Not particularly strong at the lineout, even if not helped by some poor throws, and had a couple of really poor defensive moments, with a couple of bad missed tackles.

6 Tom Curry — 5

Not really his day. Got around a bit and put himself about in his 50-minute shift, however just wasn’t hugely effective. Could have drawn a yellow card after Furlong connected with his head, but the referee didn’t give it.

7 Ben Earl — 4

Absolutely anonymous in the first-half, including being beaten far too easily by Dan Sheehan. Steve Borthwick spoke in the week about getting the ball into the hands of Henry Pollock, which seemed to be at the expense of Earl and his main strength.

8 Henry Pollock — 5

Added plenty of energy in his first England start, but didn’t quite deliver. Got plenty of touches and got the crowd on-side, with little real substance. Ended up getting a yellow card just after the break for not releasing and came back as a man on a mission, improving in the latter stages. Still a supreme talent who needs a bit more time.

Replacements

16 Jamie George — 5

Better than Cowan-Dickie, however still wasn’t great at all. Penalised for a croc roll, but offered a bit more stability at the lineout.

17 Bevan Rodd — 6

18 Trevor Davison — N/A

19 Alex Coles — 6

20 Guy Pepper — 4

Insanely bad discipline, with two penalties in quick succession ending up with helping extend their lead. Not the impact he’d have wanted.

21 Sam Underhill — 7

22 Jack van Poortvliet — 5.5

A few slightly wayward kicks, but overall wasn’t bad.

23 Marcus Smith — 7.5

On just before the break and immediately lifted the tempo. Can’t fault his effort and endeavour, it was just hard for him within such a poor attack.