In today’s international rugby matches, we assess five players whose performances fell short of expectations. All the individuals on this list represent either England or Wales.
In Cardiff, world champions South Africa delivered a dominant performance by scoring eight tries to overwhelm an inexperienced and experimental Welsh team.
The final score stood at 52-16 in favor of South Africa in this World Cup warm-up game.
Subsequently, England’s Billy Vunipola, a forward player, received a red card as Ireland secured a significant momentum surge ahead of the World Cup.
Ireland managed to score five tries en route to a comfortable 29-10 victory over England.
#1. Ben Youngs (England)
Telegraph 3/10: “Ran the show at a pedestrian pace. Showed positive intent with a flurry of box kicks but those outside him weren’t singing from the same song sheet. Produced a horror pass to Ford’s shoelaces.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Back in pole position at scrum-half after Jack van Poortvliet’s campaign-ending injury, he unleashed a neck stiffening flurry of slow and deliberate box kicks. Trouble was, nothing came back on the English side and he was also given a hurry up on occasion by the time keeping referee. Hooked with 23 minutes to go.”
Planet Rugby 4/10: “Box-kicking was off and he was once again too slow at the base.”