England player ratings vs Scotland: 2024 Six Nations

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

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In a historic feat, Duhan van der Merwe etched his name into the annals of Scottish rugby, clinching the title of the first ever Scotland player to notch a Calcutta Cup hat-trick. In a mesmerizing display of skill and tenacity, the hosts secured their fourth consecutive Six Nations victory over England, igniting Murrayfield with their fiery performance.

Van der Merwe, known for his sheer power and relentless determination, had already left an indelible mark at Twickenham last year with two remarkable tries. However, he raised the bar even higher this time around, showcasing his prowess with a flawless hat-trick.

Despite valiant efforts from George Furbank and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who notched their maiden tries for England, it was Van der Merwe who emerged as the undisputed star of the show. With clinical precision and unwavering focus, he dominated the field, leaving spectators in awe.

Finn Russell, impeccable with his kicks, played a pivotal role in ensuring Scotland maintained a commanding lead throughout the match, despite the rough and tumble nature of the contest.

Not since the era of Queen Victoria's reign had Scotland achieved such a remarkable feat, marking their fourth consecutive triumph over England in the prestigious competition—a testament to their unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of glory.

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15. George Furbank - 7

Marked his return to the test match stage with a try after just five minutes, as he gave a clinical edge to England’s attack. However, this was countered out when he knocked the ball froward into the hands of Huw Jones, for Duhan van der Merwe's try. 

14. Tommy Freeman - 6.5

Missed tackle on Huw jones, as the centre powered through for van der Merwe's first try. Made a 44’ key tackle on Kinghorn, but it was made redundant just led to van der Merwe's 3rd try. Tip tackled by the Scottish wing who headed to the sin bin upon the announcement of his Player of the Match award. A solid effort in attack by the Northampton Saints man.

13. Henry Slade - 6

Tried to incorporate footballing skills into the match, with some cross-field kicks and nudges into the back-field. Throws options up to the line, and provided the England back-line with an interlinking ballplayer. Received some treatment at 43 minutes and was light on his feet for the rest of the match.

12. Ollie Lawrence - 5

Not what the Bath centre would have wanted upon his return from injury. The powerhouse came alive with some clattering hits, yet threw a wayward pass into touch at 76 minutes that summed up his afternoon. So much more was wanted from England fans, who were excited to see him comeback.

11. Elliot Daly - 7

Provided the assist to George Furbank's try, an excellent line reading when bringing in the attacking options. Daly presented top quality kicking, as he cleared his lines every time it threatened the left flank. Overshadowed by van der Merwe, and Feyi-Waboso's immediate impact off the bench.

10. George Ford - vice captain - 7

Neatly pulled the strings with a great pass to Daly, in what led to the assist to Furbank. Stripped the ball of van Der merwe, in a rare miss-step for the wing. Slotted a sublime drop goal, and did his best to keep his side in the contest. Withdrawn earlier than expected as Fin Smith was introduced.

9. Danny Care - 5

Unfortunate performance from Danny Care, as the hectic, misshapen approach to proceedings asked questions of the Harlequin. Misplaced a handful of kicks, in what was an underwhelming effort from the boot. Unable to track across after Finn Russell found van der Merwe with a cross-field kick, with the wing completing his hat-trick.

1. Ellis Genge - vice captain - 6

Strong first half performance from the Bristol Bears man, as he presented good line speed to shift off the line. Genge helped in the forcing the Scottish handling errors, yet clattered into his own player with his shoulder tucked, in which he escaped a yellow card. 

2. Jamie George - captain  - 7.5 

England players all wore black armbands in support of Jamie George, following the recent passing of his mother. The courageous England captain was amongst the best players for Steve Borthwick's side, with a solid tackling effort around the park. Heaviest hit was a hit on Blair Kinghorn, who had picked up a full head of steam.

3. Dan Cole - 6.5

The veteran worked his socks off and implied the tricks of the trade to win penalties in the scrum. Amongst the more vocal members of the England pack following a penalty, and received a talking too from the referee; ‘Shout for a decision like that and I’ll reverse it’. 

4. Maro Itoje - vice captain - 7

Strong performance in the air, as the Saracen orchestrated the set-piece and worked with Chessum in their fabled partnership. After battering himself into the tackles and carries, Itoje was held up at a 70th minute carry, after peppering the Scotland line on either side of the ball. 

5. Ollie Chessum - 6

Tireless work rate around the park, the Leicester Tigers man carried well and wrestled his way over the gain-line for the hard yards. Lost the ball in contact at 71 minutes, when England could have rallied up an attack, it was a mixed bag from the lock on a difficult day.

6. Ethan Roots - 5.5

Offside at the half hour mark, as England were sometimes over eager in their do-or-die blitz defence. Missed the ball in the air, as England lost the 43rd minute line-out, in the build up to van Der merwe 3rd try. Off for George Martin (47’)

7. Sam Underhill - 6.5

Big hits and provided a strong effort in defence, as England's blitz defence suited his flying out the line style. However, the reckless approach saw the back row fatigue, and gaps open up around him. Made an important turnover at 43 minutes, as he was immovable to hold the ball up. New look with the scrum hat.

8. Ben Earl - 7

Missed the tackle on Duhan van der Merwe, as the titanic wing skipped away for his 2nd try. Provided his customary big collisions with fantastic speed off the line. Led the charge to gain 15m off the line with a solid defensive effort. Customary cheers and Equally loud complaints when his 61st minute turnover wasn’t allowed. Gave his thoughts once again on 64 minutes, as Millar-Mills turned the ball over with Earl on the deck. 

16. Theo Dan - 6

On for Jamie George at 68 minutes, with the young Saracen tested at a handful of set pieces. Solid at the line-out, it was good to see the front rower get an extended run after some under 10 minute cameos.

17. Joe Marler - 6.5

Upped the scrummaging offensive, and reminded the Six Nations as to why he is one of the world's best up front.

18. Will Stuart - 6

Upped the tempo after Dan Cole emptied the tank, but gave away a scrum penalty at 73 minutes, as he clattered head on head to the opposite prop. 

19. George Martin - 7.5

Immediate impact off the bench early in 2nd half, as he lifted the intensity with some excity carries. Great to see the man-missile back firing into tackles, yet the Tigers man blundered a glaring knock on at 49 minutes.

20. Chandler Cunningham-South - 7

Continues to play superbly well upon his introduction, Chandler Cunningham-South has once again outperformed Ethan Roots and could well get his first England start against Ireland. Great lift on the front foot in a man who relishes the collision.

21. Ben Spencer - 7

Early introduction at 47th minute, after Care’s underwhelming effort. Passed to Manny Feyi-Waboso for the new coming wing’s first England try. Provided a solid set of hands and shipped the ball to Ford and Fin Smith at a rate of knots.

22. Fin Smith - 7

Suprised some fans with the early timing of his introduction, Fin Smith looked comfortable on the big stage in only his second test match. 62nd minute saw Smith execute a wonderful kick for touch. Missed his first kick off the tee as the ball bounces off the posts. Knocked on a high ball as well.

23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - 6.5

A memorable day for the young Exeter Chiefs wing, as he scored his first England try. Not long after coming on, the wing spots the gap on the outside of Cam Redpath and he scores on his second cap. Took the high balls well.

Rightfully awarded Player of the Match, Duhan van der Merwe had a barnstorming performance in the Calcutta Cup win over England. The Scotland wing bagged a hat-trick of tries, with the pick off the bunch being a scintiliating solo effort as he skipped passed England's resident tackle machine Ben Earl. Van der Merwe kicks into a different gear when he plays England and has steadily become the nightmare name on the teamsheet for England head coach Steve Borthwick.

The Edinburgh man made Borthwick's first game in charge of England one to forget, as he crossed over for a brace of tries last year at Twickenham Stadium. The wing beat seven players on that day, and scored one of the all-time great Calcutta Cup tries as he darted through the defence from his own half, and evaded numerous tackle attempts.

Scotland have achieved a record-equalling milestone, as they won their fourth consecutive match on the bounce against England. The impressive feat sees the Calcutta Cup retained North of the border, where it has remained since 2021. England have certainly begun to fall into the narrative of being 'sent home, tae think again' as the famous anthem goes.

Gregor Townsend's men are now firmly in the history books, with the last time a Scotland side achieved this feat, was back in the 19th century. The last time Scotland won four in a row, was from 1893 to 1896, when Queen Victoria sat upon the throne. A truly historic accomplishment by the men in blue and tartan, as Scotland have established an unbreakable grip on the Calcutta Cup.

England fans were delighted to learn of Ollie Lawrence's availability this week, as the Bath man made his comeback to the squad following a problematic knee injury. Lawrence was shipped into the starting line-up, as Northampton Saints midfielder Fraser Dingwall was dropped from the entire match day 23 after two strong outings against Wales and Italy. Expectations were high on Lawrence, however the centre failed to deliver by his best accounts.

Lawrence did not hit his top strides, and was nullified when trying to build up a head of steam in attack. Having starred for blue, black and white alongside Finn Russell, there was the added hope that Lawrence's knowledge of his Bath teammate could hinder his attack, yet the Lionel Messi of rugby was able to evade his clutches time and again. Lawrence's afternoon was best summed up by his wayward pass, that went sailing into touch to the chargrin of Ben Earl.

Now, the debate will surely emerge in the coming fallow week as to whether Manu Tuilagi shuld replace Lawerence upon his return. The Sale Sharks man was fully involved in training this passed week, yet Borthwick opted for Lawrence ahead of the Samoan born centre. There will certainly be plenty of discussion, as Bundee Aki gets set to punch holes through the England midfield in a fortnight's time.

After Alex Mitchell was withdrawn from the England squad, Steve Borthwick handed the number nine jersey to Danny care for tonight's clash with Scotland. However, the Harlequin did not hit the heights he would have hoped for, as his kicking mishaps hindered the flow of a hectic first half. Under-par by his high standards, Care was withdrawn for Bath scrum half Ben Spencer, who made his first England appearence since the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final.

Spencer had a solid effort, and the West Country man has certainly put his hand up for contention to start against Ireland. Spencer shipped the ball well to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, for the Exeter Chiefs man to explode through a gap for his first England try. It will be an interesting two weeks before England host Ireland at Twickenham, to see who emerges as the starting scrum half to take on Andy Farrell's side.

Toulouse fullback Blair Kinghorn marked his return from a knee injury in fine fettle, and he looks to only be improving whilst stationed out in the French Top 14. Delivering a classy first step on the gain-line, Kinghorn frequently wrong-footed the England players with some clever sidesteps, and often found his teammates with an offload.

Kinghorn made his Six Nations debut in this very same fixture just 12 months prior, as the then Edinburgh man burst to prominence in the win at Twickenham. Another man who has been giving Borthwick a re-occuring headache, Kinghorn's poised approach to the back-three was well executed, and he was a key contributor to the overall win.