England Player Ratings vs Australia - Ben Youngs stars while Nathan Hughes fills Billy Vunipola void - Ruck

England Player Ratings vs Australia – Ben Youngs stars while Nathan Hughes fills Billy Vunipola void

RUCK.co.uk runs the rule over the players at Twickenham as England end 2016 unbeaten after beating the Wallabies.

We rate the players from 1 to 23:


ENGLAND
15. Mike Brown – 6.5

He made a good turnover and a crucial tackle on Folau to deny the full-back from putting Australia further ahead. A bit reckless at times though, especially in the opening 20 minutes.

14. Marland Yarde – 7

Terrible start, letting Naivalu run past him twice, but finished his try very well in the right corner and chased Ben Youngs kicks superbly well all afternoon.

13. Jonathan Joseph – 9

It’s not just his pace; it’s not just his tackling. He was simply outstanding all over the park. Two tries and a perfect kick through for Yarde’s score made him RUCK’s man of the match.

12. Owen Farrell – 7

Not his best day at the office but he kicked well and was relentless in defence.

11. Jonny May – 6

Couldn’t quite get into things in the first half, but upped his workrate in the second and played his part as England stretched Australia from side to side.

10. George Ford – 7

When the lead was built he found corners with forcing kicks – they kept Australia on the back foot.

9.Ben Youngs – 9

A threat around the scrum and showed some genius for his try with his sublime quick thinking. Front runner alongside Conor Murray for the Lions now?

1. Mako Vunipola – 7.5

Great match, as usual. Part of a front row that put in an inordinate number of tackles and that eventually edged the much-awaited scrum battle.

2. Dylan Hartley – 7.5

Won a couple of key turnovers and was full of energy around the pitch. The skipper was faultless at the lineout too. He’s really led the team well all year!

3. Dan Cole – 7.5

Australia tried to rile him off the field; he responded on it with by far his best performance of the autumn.

4. Courtney Lawes – 8

A couple of powerful runs and strong in the tackle after getting over a tough start.

5. George Kruis – 7.5

The Saracens lock was once again fantastic at the lienout while his impressive tackling helped England stay in the game during their shaky start.

6. Chris Robshaw – 7

Not in the same impressive form he has shown over the last three internationals but improved massively in the second half.

7. Tom Wood – 7.5

Scrappy, hard-hitting and good hands when needed in the backline. He’s been immense this Autumn.

8. Nathan Hughes – 7.5

England may be without injured Billy Vunipola for the Six Nations but Hughes put his hand up to replace the Saracens No.8. The Fijian-born powerhouse carried well and showed glimpses ofthe gainline-battering power of Vunipola.

REPLACEMENTS

16. Jamie George – 5.5
17. Joe Marler – 6
18. Kyle Sinckler -5.5
19. Charlie Ewels 
20. Teimana Harrison – 5
21. Danny Care – 5.5
22. Ben Te’o 6.5
23. Henry Slade