RED ROSE RATINGS - IRELAND 20 - 32 ENGLAND
RED ROSE
RATINGS – IRELAND 20 - 32 ENGLAND
Date:
2nd February 2019
Location:
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
Referee:
Jerome Garces
Attendance:
51,000
England
started their World Cup year with a brilliant win away from home against a
much-fancied Irish side. The Red Rose came away with all five points as they
put on a totally dominant display which saw them score the first of their four
tries after just 90 seconds. Up until that point England had gone 8 years
without scoring at the home of Irish rugby.
15 –
Elliot Daly (Wasps) – 7
Will
still have his high ball capabilities discussed in detail but was the better of
the fullbacks in a game where such a position was critical. Lovely little
grubber through for his try and showed an eagerness to chase what would
normally have been a lost cause. Also involved in the build up to the score
which got England going.
14 – Jack
Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) - 8
Some
wingers go seasons and do less work than the Chiefs flyer did today. Carried
with ferocity and strength proving a constant menace for the Irish defence. His
performance was more like a forward's, one that even saw him pack down as a
flanker when England were a man down.
13 –
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) – 8
Arguably
his best game in an England shirt as he crossed for two crucial tries. Looked
good in defence and sprung into life in the second half. Timed his run
perfectly to race onto a Johnny May kick through and then took a brilliant
catch off a Irish pass to score. His hands wouldn't go amiss for his England
colleagues in West Indies right now.
 |
| Slade crosses for England (Photo: Andy Hooper) |
Set the
tone for his game brilliantly when he crashed in off lineout ball to put
England on the front foot inside the first minute. Every carry he had was of a
similar ilk and he was equally brutal when defending, Bundee Aki one such
unfortunate victim.
11 –
Johnny May (Leicester Tigers) - 9
Crossed
for an early score but only went from strength to strength after. Played a
blinder under the high ball taking the pressure of Elliot Daly and helping
England dominant the territory game. His defence was up and beyond
international scratch and he topped off a wonderful all round display by
sending Slade clear with a delightful kick in behind off his weaker left foot.
10 – Owen
Farrell (Saracens) - 8
If
England play well its normally the case this man does too, today was no
exception. His kicking from the tee wasn't the cleanest its ever been and there
was one rushed clearance that went out on the full. However he controlled his
side brilliantly in a fiery contest and produced one moment of brilliance as
his flat pass set up an early try.
9 – Ben
Youngs (Leicester Tigers) - 8
There
still remains a level of inaccuracy with his box kicks although the brilliance
of England in the air helped his game plan work for most of the game.
Controlled the tempo well and clearly was under strict instructions from Eddie
Jones regards how to play, something you can't knock when the two combine to
see off Ireland in their own backyard. Harassed the Irish throughout, inparticuarly for Slade's second.
1 – Mako
Vunipola (Saracens) - 9
Put in an
enormous twenty-five tackles, almost all of which involved a green shirt being
unceremoniously forced back. His ball carrying was also exceptional as he
constantly broke the gain-line and got his side ticking. Could easily have held up Ireland's first try on another day and even scored one of his own. England will go alot
further in the World Cup if this man is fit throughout. Was given man of the
match by the broadcasters.
2 – Jamie
George (Saracens) - 7
Had a
solid game at the set-piece, scrummaged well and provided a solid base for the
previously shaky lineout. One lovely sidestep and break teased at what we
already knew he can do with the ball in his hands.
3 – Kyle
Sinckler (Harlequins) – 7
Did
everything his prop partner did just without the same levels of success and
intensity, still a decent outing nonetheless. Gave away one silly penalty but
overall managed to control his often fiery and hostile temperament.
4 – Maro
Itoje (Saracens) - 7
Menace at
the breakdown and another of England's ball carrying beasts. Like Sinckler he
gave away a needless penalty though after a poorly timed high ball
challenge. Limped off injured, England will hope its not too serious.
5 –
George Kruis (Saracens) - 7
Brought
into the team to take on Ireland at the lineout and didn't disappoint his
selectors in this regard. Wasn't the most prolific ball carrier but was another
brick wall in defence for England.
6 – Mark
Wilson (Newcastle Falcons) - 7
Brilliant
at Number 8 in the autumn but equally as effective at flanker as he showcased
his talents as a versatile backrower. Slowed Irish ball and battled brilliantly
in a physical contest suited to a player of his skillset.
7 – Tom
Curry (Sale Sharks) - 8
Yellow
carded and penalised for going off his feet all within the first twenty minutes
in what looked to be an occasion too far for the youngster. This couldn't have
been any further from the truth, he was ever present after causing countless
problems for the Irish, tackling and competing tirelessly. Rarely have I seen a
player so keen to right his wrongs; and succeed.
8 – Billy
Vunipola (Saracens) - 7
Not fully
fit? Not a problem for big billy. The Saracens man took ball into contact like
a man possessed and spearheaded a group of ruthless and dominant forwards. Did brilliantly to free the ball in contact which gave Owen Farrell the platform to put Daly and May clear.
SUBS:
Luke
Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) - N/A
Ellis
Genge (Leicester Tigers) - N/A
Harry
Williams (Exeter Chiefs) - 6
Courtney
Lawes (Northampton Saints) - 7
Nathan
Hughes (Wasps) - 6
George
Ford (Leicester Tigers) - N/A
Chris
Ashton (Sale Sharks) - N/A
Henry Justice
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