RUCK 5/10: "On at the 65 minute mark, yet was immediately under his own posts as Japan crossed for their first try. Solid work at the set-piece, as despite leaking a couple of tries England kept their strength in attack. Dangerous clear out on Michael Leitch at 72 minutes, as he dove at the captain’s legs. Shown a yellow card (and off-field review) as England finished the match with 14 men. The off-field review upgraded the offence to a red card for the Bath man, no mitigation and a high degree of danger."
Express 2/10: "The forward came off the bench for England in the 66th minute and was sent off just eight minutes later for dangerous play, taking out Michael Leitch."
Rugby Pass 0/10: " it was a nightmare for England’s fifth forward replacement as Ewels (0), a 66th-minute sub for Freeman, was yellow carded seven minutes later for a dangerous clear-out on Michael Leitch."
#2. Jordan Hendrikse (South Africa)
Rugby Pass 5.5/10: "Nervy start from the boot, pushing his first kick to the right hand side of the posts. Looked to build himself into the game, but was found guilty of losing the ball on multiple occasions. Not the worst performance, but will look to push on next time."
Planet Rugby 3/10: "A mixed bag from the debutant with the nerves well and truly showing. Multiple errors in his game, but there were some positives, including good link-up play for Mapimpi’s try and some great passes. He will be proud to have finally made his debut but perhaps a bit disappointed by his overall performance. He won’t be a one-Test wonder."
Jordan Hendrikse of South Africa is tackled by Harri O'Connor of Wales during the Qatar Airways Cup match between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham Stadium in London on 22 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#3. Keiron Assiratti (Wales)
Planet Rugby 3/10: "Wasn’t the first and won’t be the last but Assiratti was absolutely smashed by Ox Nche at the scrum. Hooked at half-time."
Rugby Pass 3/10: "He had a late call-up and limped off just before half-time. After a tough afternoon, he will have Ox Nche living rent-free inside his head for weeks."
Wales Online 5/10: "It was a really tough day at the office for the Cardiff prop who came under huge pressure at scrum time. There were a couple of early hidings in the scrum but it gradually improved as the half went on. Injury forced him off the field just before half-time."
Keiron Assiratti of Wales Rugby during the Welsh Rugby Senior Men's Captain's Run at The Lensbury, London on 9 February 2024. Photo: James Whitehead/PPAUK
#4. Bevan Rodd (England)
Rugby Pass 6/10: "Troubled start included penalty concessions at the scrum and in the tackle, but he became more precise with his involvements when England asserted control. Exited on 44 minutes feeling good that his tackle count was healthy, and he wasn’t shy of trying things as he was the player who tapped quickly in the play for the Feyi-Waboso try."
Planet Rugby 5/10: " Hugely unlucky to be pinged for the first scrum, Rodd offers so much around the pitch and was one of England’s key close-quarter operators in both carry and tackle. His set piece work isn’t his superpower but it’s improving and he held on well."
RUCK 6/10: "Back in the squad for his first start since the Rugby World Cup win against Chile. Looked up to scratch following his Six Nations injury layoff. Made some short, sharp carries to grind out the hard yards over the gain-line. Received some medical attention after a battering collision just before the half time break. Off for Joe Ma
#5. Rio Dyer (Wales)
Wales Online 5/10: "Put his side under pressure when he was sent to the sin bin after 13 minutes and got beaten on the outside by Edwill van der Merwe on more than one occasion."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Made little impact after being sin-binned after 11 minutes for a cynical offside as Wales clung on and clutched at thin air when Van der Mawe left him standing."
Planet Rugby 3/10: "The speedster has been one of Wales’ shining lights over the past year, but this was not a good day for Dyer. He was yellow carded early on while he was also burned a couple of times defensively."
Rio Dyer of Wales during the Qatar Airways Cup match between South Africa and Wales at Twickenham Stadium in London on 22 June 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK