RED ROSE RATINGS - SCOTLAND 25 - 13 ENGLAND

RED ROSE RATINGS – SCOTLAND 25 – 13 ENGLAND

               Date: 24^th February 2018

               Location: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland

               Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

               Attendance: 67,144

England’s grand slam hopes were scuppered as they were well beaten by a ferocious Scottish team who regained the Calcutta Cup for the first time in ten years. Eddie Jones admitted the defeat was his fault after the game and he will have much to ponder before his side face their penultimate game against France.

15 – Mike Brown (Harlequins) – 4

A far cry from his performance in the last match against Wales. Marked down for a poor pass when a rare opportunity seemed to open up and also failed to bring down a rampaging Huw Jones on his way to Scotland’s second. Produced nothing going forward.

14 – Anthony Watson (Bath) – 4

Looked for work and showed some good feet at one point to temporarily escape danger but his attacking threat was nullified and defensively he was left wanting. Will have to take some of the blame alongside Brown for not stopping Huw Jones and let Maitland over in his corner.

13 – Johnathan Joseph (Bath) – 5

May have scored a hat-trick in this fixture last time out but was largely invisible throughout on this occasion, outshone by his opposite number. Perhaps will feel he could have done better with his positioning and timing with regards Russell’s long pass.

12 – Owen Farrell (Saracens) – 7

England’s best back and only try scorer courtesy of a nice line run. Thought he had scored a second but it was correctly ruled out for a knock-on. Battled hard and brought a lot of intensity from the start but a lack of performing partners made it difficult.

11 – Johnny May (Leicester Tigers) – 5

One shocker as he caught the ball with a foot clearly in touch but did run hard and tried to inject some pace into England’s play. Ultimately didn’t see enough ball or space to exploit, Scotland dealt with his threat well.

10 – George Ford (Leicester Tigers) – 4

Very poor display from the Leicester man. Kicking was ineffective and constantly gave possession away in a performance where Scotland controlled the territory battle throughout. Struggled to give England anything in attack and was non-existent.

9 – Danny Care (Harlequins) – 6

One precise pass to Farrell for the England try but other than that he produced very little. Never seemed to have England playing in control or at the right tempo and was unable to be the nuisance around the fringes that he loves to be.

1 – Mako Vunipola (Saracens) – 6

Scrummaged well and competed hard at the set-piece. Unable to showcase his ability with ball in hand and lacked the physicality we’ve seen in recent games.

2 – Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) – 5

Went off just before the hour mark and failed to offer England the leadership they desperately craved throughout. Lineout performed well but he was well beaten at the breakdown and in the loose.

3 – Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) – 6

Tackled with enthusiasm and had a decent night come scrum time but was unable to do any damage at the breakdown or when carrying.

4 – Joe Launchbury (Wasps) – 6

Conceded a costly penalty just before Care intercepted a loose pass which cost England a try, did seem to withdraw when Nigel Owens told him but was still penalised. Had a decent game in a lineout that was one of England’s only positives. Little sign of the strong carrying and clever offloads we saw against Wales.

5 – Maro Itoje (Saracens) – 5

All too quiet. Didn’t make too many mistakes but also failed to implement his destructive ruck and maul play. Was outshone by a stellar set of forwards in blue when competing at the breakdown and he seemed to shrink into the background as the game progressed.

6 – Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) – 6

Was one of England’s more prominent forwards hitting hard and tackling with gusto throughout. Unlucky to concede the knock-on that cost Farrell his second. Did well at the lineout but did little to help his side’s rising penalty count with a stupid foot in the ruck infringement that will infuriate Eddie Jones.

7 – Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) – 5

Didn’t do enough at the breakdown, a fact highlighted by just how impressive Hamish Watson on the other side was. Was switched around in the back row and continued to at least compete hard but this is not enough when you’re trailing and need results.                 

8 – Nathan Hughes (Wasps) – 5

Carried well to start off with but slowly seemed to tire on his return from injury. Not the tireless battering ram that England have come to expect in this position. Struggled in defence and was constantly asked questions of by the Scottish attack, not all of which he could answer.

SUBS:

Jamie George (Saracens) - 6

Joe Marler (Harlequins) - 6

Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs) - 6

George Kruis (Saracens) - 6

Sam Underhill (Bath) - 5

Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens) - 5

Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) – 5

Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) – 6

Henry Justice