"Hero to zero" - 5 England players who underperformed against Wales

Despite some England players failing to make a strong impression, they ultimately staged a comeback, narrowly securing victory in what proved to be a closely contested match.

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content 

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uch like the previous week's match in Rome, England once again faced a halftime deficit against Wales. Wales managed to secure a penalty try and an Alex Mann score, positioning themselves for a potential first victory at Twickenham since 2015.

Nevertheless, England staged a comeback, narrowing the gap to just one point with Fraser Dingwall's try in the corner. Ultimately, George Ford's penalty sealed the win.

Looking ahead to the next match against Scotland at Murrayfield in two weeks, we identify four players who may need to step out of the starting team.

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Evening Standard 6/10: "Showed his inexperience at the level for his yellow card, but recovered as the game progressed."

Telegraph 5/10: "Struggled to match the heights of last week, losing the ball in contact deep inside the Welsh 22 before conceding a penalty and yellow card for killing a maul."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "A great debut last week but not so good this time around. The yellow card was needless as all he had to do was hold them up as he had got onto the ball."

RUCK 6/10: "Collapsed the maul as Wales trundle towards the goal-line. Awarded a yellow card as Wales get a penalty try. Provided a new role as a line out jumper at the back. Spilt the ball after 47 minute re-start. Didnt have the best game to build on his MOTM performance v Italy, but put in strong hits around the pitch. Off for Alex Coles (72)"

RUCK 6/10: "Didn't get back onside following the Welsh restart and gave away a penalty. Out of position at 27 minutes, lucky that George North opted to kick with a big gap ahead of him. Flattened by George North, as he missed the tackle at 33 minutes."

Telegraph 5/10: "The try covered a multitude of sins - from George North running straight through him, to not holding his line before passing to Daly."

Planet Rugby 6/10: "Not a huge carrying threat but a smart operator. Took his try well and is a good distributor on the gain line, although he needs to show more in the rest of the Six Nations."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "Much quieter than last weekend. Didn’t really get the opportunity to run but he was a useful chasing option."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Unable to follow up his livewire Stadio Olimpico effort with another eye-catching display. Still had some good moments, namely his scramble defence."

Guardian 5/10: "A try-saving tackle on Josh Adams was a highlight but denied chances to repeat the attacking threat shown in Rome."

Rugby Pass 6/10: "Didn’t shirk his tackle load with England under the first-half pump and had a lively second-half start before exiting on 52 minutes."

Rugby Dump 5/10: "Hauled off in the 50th minute after struggling to impose his mountable size over the young welsh pack."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "The scrum was not really a factor while he was on the field thanks to some smart (possibly underhand) tactics from the Welsh."

RUCK 6/10: "Given a talking to by the ref at 14 minutes, as he and the Wales tight-head jostled at multiple scrum re-sets. Gave away a scrum penalty for not pushing straight at 15, but regathered his composure as the scrum battle progressed."

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Penalised for the scrum penalty when England went with just seven players at a set-piece in the lead-up to the first Welsh try. He then contributed to the hole that the visitors burst through for their second try by going too low and not preventing the Tommy Reffell offload. Another subbed off 12 minutes into the second half."