Let’s examine five players who underperformed on the first day of the opening round of the 2023 Summer Nation Series.
#1. Joe Cokansiga
Rugby Pass 5.5/10: "Endured years of frustration to get back to this point, being fully fit and poised to impress again at Test level. He clocked up some decent first-half metres on the carry but won’t want to be reminded of his missed tackle in the game-changing Davies try which could cost him RWC selection."
Planet Rugby 3/10: "Dreadful. Couldn’t take a high ball and was awful in defence. Considering Steve Borthwick wants his wingers to do the basics well, we can’t quite believe Cokanasiga was involved in the wider squad."
Evening Standard 3/10: "Spilled two high balls and was bamboozled all too easily by Morgan for the Davies score"
Joe Cokanasiga of England on the break during the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#2. Ewan Ashman (Scotland)
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Just a second Test start for the former Sale hooker, but in a competitive position selection-wise, failed to take his chance. Lineout wobbled at key moments and didn’t really have an impact with the ball in hand."
The Offside Line 6/10: "Battled to get into the game but it just didn’t quite click in the loose like he would have hoped, and the line-out wasn’t altogether convincing. Not an opportunity missed, but neither will he feel he grabbed his chance with both hands."
#3. Max Malins (England)
Telegraph 5/10: "Busy and willing, especially on the kick-chase and when attempting to inject momentum into messy attacks. Does he have the dynamism to be a Test wing?"
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Didn’t deal with the grubber through for the second try and just doesn’t offer a whole lot with ball in hand at this level. A smart player who reads the game well and has an eye for the try-line, but wasn’t really a factor here."
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Back in favour for now after getting axed post the French humiliation, he twice teased with his threat in the opposition’s 22 in the first half, but there was no end product at the line and his display became undone by coughing up too many turnovers."
Max Malins of England during the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#4. Keith Earls (Ireland)
Rugby Pass 5/10: "The 35-year-old veteran of the Irish backline nearly set up O’Brien with a clever dink through in the first half. Wasn’t terribly involved after that and needs to show he can be a credible threat and not just a reliable cog in the machine."
Keith Earls of Ireland looks dejected during the Guinness Six Nations Match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 23. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#5. Danny Care (England)
Telegraph 5/10: "Returning to the scene of 2011 heartbreak, he was asked to box-kick and keep his forwards moving with short passes. Striking was mixed and Costelow picked him out with a kick-pass."
Planet Rugby 5/10: "Box-kicking was pretty good, but option-taking and his speed of service in the Wales half was subpar."
Rugby Pass 5/10: "Viewed as the missing link capable of getting the best from the muddled Smith-Dombrandt Test-game connection, it took him a while to get into the swing. For instance, it was his offside that gave Wales their first penalty points but his kicked exits and passing were decent bar one sloppy shovel near halfway. His second half, though, was forgettable. Was at fault on the crosskick for getting knocked over by the catching and offloading Aaron Wainwright and was promptly substituted."
Danny Care of England with Gareth Davies of Wales during the Summer Nations Series Rugby match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium on August 5, 2023 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK