RED ROSE RATINGS - ENGLAND 44 - 8 FRANCE
RED ROSE RATINGS – ENGLAND 44 - 8 FRANCE
Date: 2nd February 2019
Location: Twickenham Stadium, London, England
Referee: Nigel Owens
Attendance: 82,000
Johnny May scored three tries inside the first half an hour as a rampant England put France to the sword at Twickenham. Its now two wins from two for England whilst France are still chasing their first win of the 2019 6 Nations championship.
15 – Elliot Daly (Wasps) – 8
One of his best games under the high ball in an England shirt and was equally impressive when running at the often broken Frence defence. Put a wonderful kick in behind for Johnny May to race onto and dot down inside the first two minutes yet again.
14 – Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks) - 7
No fault of his that his opposite number bagged a hat-trick, although he could argue it was his supporting run that warranted England's penalty try. Was asked very few defensive questions but tackled what he needed to well.
13 – Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) – 8
Really starting to grow in confidence now and is becoming a bit of an interception specialist. Put in some lovely kicks out of hand and was another of a few players in white that bullied France in this regard. Could of perhaps done better when up against Huget for the visitor's only try.
Not quite as prominent this week as he was against Ireland but did a perhaps underrated job in nullifying the physicality threat of Mathieu Bastareaud. Worked hard in the chase and running decoy lines throughout.
11 – Johnny May (Leicester Tigers) - 9
Was going at a touch a score in the first half as his speed and finishing caused the French countless problems on his way to a famous hat-trick. Barely put a foot wrong the whole game although his second half was much quieter than than his first - the damage was already done though.
10 – Owen Farrell (Saracens) - 9
Yet another masterful performance from the Sarries fly-half. His kicking both out of the hand and off the tee were near perfect and helped rack up the vast majority of England's points. Farrell also was a key cog in the host's impressive defensive line, tacking and blitzing from the front.
9 – Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) - 8
Another player whose kicking helped the Red Roses dominant the territory game. Continues to pull the strings alongside Farrell wonderfully and was key in helping England overrun France in the first half with his decision making and tempo.
1 – Mako Vunipola (Saracens) - 7
A very similar outing to the game he had against Ireland, carried powerfully and got through an impressive amount of tackles. Scrummaged well against a sizeable French pack but his day was ended early by a concerning injury.
2 – Jamie George (Saracens) - 7
Got around the pitch well and often found himself out on the wings chipping in. Hit ten of his twelve lineouts and for the large parts of the game spearheaded a dominant English setpiece.
3 – Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) – 8
Really good game from the Quins prop forward whose versatility was highlighted when he showed great awareness and sleight of hand to find Henry Slade for a score. In the more 'traditional' prop responsibilities he wasn't found wanting and scrummaged brilliantly.
4 – Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) - 8
Yet more proof (if you needed it) that England are well equipped in the lock department. Put in some bone crunching tackles that sent visible shivvers down the French lines as well as proving an effective nuisance come lineout time.
5 – George Kruis (Saracens) - 6
Much quieter than his second-row colleague. Hard to fault him for much, tackled well and got involved at the rucks but would loved to have seen more of him when brandishing ball.
6 – Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) - 7
18 tackles against a side the size of the French is testament to this man's strength and stamina. Was pinged for a penalty in the second half, the only blemish in an otherwise superb defensive performance.
7 – Tom Curry (Sale Sharks) - 8
Led his team in the tackle count and caused the French constant problems, repelling carriers and slowing ball. Was penalised early on but redeemed himself in this regard with a superb penalty turnover when the game was already won, something that encapsulates the young man's never-say-die attitude
8 – Billy Vunipola (Saracens) - 7
His ferocity and size combined to cause the French plenty of problems as he carried and tackled fantastically. Broke the gain-line on a couple of occasions and helped set the tone for England's overpowering front-foot game.
SUBS:
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) - 6
Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs) - 7
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) - 6
Joe Launchbury (Wasps) - 6
Nathan Hughes (Wasps) - 6
Dan Robson (Wasps) - 7
Dan Robson (Wasps) - 7
George Ford (Leicester Tigers) - 6
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) - 7
Henry Justice
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