England player ratings vs Ireland from today’s epic fourth round clash in the 2024 Guinness Six nations clash at Twickenham.
RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content
Marcus Smith delivered a last second drop-goal in the dying moments as England showcased their finest performance under the Steve Borthwick era, stunning Ireland in an electrifying Six Nations clash.
Despite trailing by two points following James Lowe's late try, Smith's deft drop-foal sealed the victory, igniting Twickenham with jubilation.
Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank and Ben Earl found the try line, propelling England into the lead before Lowe's seemingly decisive score for Ireland.
England's slim title aspirations persist while Ireland maintains their position at the top of the table.
The Scorers:
ENGLAND: 20
- Tries: Ollie Lawrence (03'), George Furbank (47'), Ben Earl (59')
- Cons: Marcus Smith(60')
- Pens: George Ford(16')
IRELAND: 22
- Tries: James Lowe (43',72')
- Cons:
- Pens: Jack Crowley (02', 19', 34', 40')
RUCK's Player Of The Match:
England Player Stats:
Carries: Ben Earl - 17
Metres: Ben Earl - 78
Defenders beaten: Ben Earl - 8
Tackles: George Martin - 14
Tackles missed: Henry Slade - 3
Turnovers won: Ollie Chessum - 2
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England player ratings vs Ireland:
15. George Furbank - 7.5
A rocky start as Furbank knocked the ball on after Lawrence’s chip into the back-field. Stopped the try from being scored as the centre eyed up his second score. Turned this round at 33 minutes with a great effort under the high ball and skipped passed some tackles. Knocked the ball on in contact, as he tried to explode onto Feyi-Waboso's quick ball. Unable to keep the kick from James Lowe in field at 37 minutes. Scored a try early in the second half, with a great finish out in the wide channels, after Itoje and Underhill kept the ball alive.
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - 7
Made solid breaks and added an extra punch over the gain-line as England lifted the fans. 27th minute, he clattered into Gibson-Park as the scrum-half kicked the ball away into the in-goal area, great hit. Floated well into the midfield as he interlinked with the likes of Slade and Furbank. Straight off his feet at a 53rd minute ruck, and Henshaw dispatched him for the turnover. Great take under the high ball 54th minute as Ireland looked to pile on pressure near England goal line.
13. Henry Slade - 6.5
Held up by Josh van der Flier as he tried to break the line, and had his carrying effort turned into a maul as England lost possession. Whipped the ball around well, and reminded the England coaching staff on his strength in defence and from the boot. A telepathic connection with Feyi-Waboso, as Slade played the young Exeter wing in on many crash lines.
12. Ollie Lawrence - 7
Great finish for the first try, as he sealed the move with an impressive dive over the try-line. Thought he was over for the second from his own kick chase, yet George Furbank's knock on hindered his efforts and the try was disallowed. A solid effort from the Bath man, who ran out a far better performance than against Scotland.
11. Tommy Freeman -7.5
Clattering collisions were Freeman's order of the day, as he marched his way over the Ireland gain-line time and again. Destructive with the ball as he proved to be a challenge for the defenders, Freeman sent Calvin Nash off for a failed HIA, after a dominant carry. The Saints wing went down at 55 minutes, after a heavy collision. But soldiered on for move runs into contact.
10. George Ford - 6.5
A frustrating day personally for Ford, yet he would be delighted to see his side turn the fortunes around in the second half. Had his drop gaol attempt charged down and missed the 30th min pen from the Ireland 10m line. Ford was offside along with Ollie Chessum at 38 minutes, as England worked tirelessly to clear their lines. Missed another conversion after Furbank’s try, as Owen Farrell watched on in the Twickenham stands.
9. Alex Mitchell - 7
Straight back in to start from an calf injury return, Mitchell presented good clearance kicks to begin with. Excellent flat passing finding some great lines, before he knocked on the ball after trying to snipe and go alone at 12 minutes. Good box kicks, asked questions of Ireland in the air and led to a scrum re-sets immediately after the halt-time break.
1. Ellis Genge - 7
Offside at the ruck for the first penalty of the match, as Jack Crowley has a shot at goal and gave Ireland an immediate lead. Also caught napping by van der Flier, who jump over the edge of a ruck and skipped passed the . Wins a big scrum penalty eight minutes in and performed well around the park with strong carries and good passing.
2. Jamie George - 7
Solid lineout throws throughout the match, even his 12th minute overthrow goes backwards and is gathered well by George Ford. Amazing line break on the shoulder of Ben Earl - made some great yards as he powered down the park at 14 minutes. Been carrying brilliantly over the hard yards. Very vocal towards the referee after Lawrence’s 2nd try is disallowed.
3. Dan Cole - 6.5
Great effort up front against Andrew Porter, and helped win a scrum penalty as he and Genge powered over at eight minutes. Made the hard yards count, as he grafted for every inch of grass when the ball was shipped to him. Given a talking too by the referee for encroaching on the Ireland line-out gap.
4. Maro Itoje - 7.5
Strong line out ideas, as he led the side with quick tempo off the top, as England rolled the dice from the touchlines. Resilient as ever at the breakdown, and made his mark on the Irish ball carries. Did brilliantly to keep the ball alive for George Furbank’s try, as he shipped the ball wide to the Saints man. Excellent rip on Gibson-Park to stop Hugo Keenan’s try.
5. George Martin - 8
In for Ollie Chessum at the row and contributed some amazing hits, with a target on the back of Jack Crowley. He flattened Crowley at 17 minutes, before winning a 27 minute set-piece penalty, as Ireland went too early at the line-out. Brilliant around the park, put his body on the line time and again and has solidly stamped his name to future England appearances.
6. Ollie Chessum - 7
Great effort to force Gibson Park into touch at eleven minutes, and solid passing in the loose. Adapted well to his move out to blindside flanker. Monstrous hit on Bundee Aki after 20th min re-start to send the centre in touch. Lost the ball in contact after Aki was over the ruck, and Crowley was able to have a shot at goal. Overall strong contribution from the Leicester man, with Gibson-Park taking the full brunt ahead of James Lowe's second try.
7. Sam Underhill - 7
Excellent tackling, the blue, black and white battler set out for an afternoon of hard hits. His 18th minute shot on Aki sent shockwaves around Twickenham. One of the best blitzers in the business, Underhill left hit after hit on the Irish carriers. Great offload in the run up to Furbank’s try, as he popped it up to Itoje.
8. Ben Earl - 8.5
Clattering into contact, and great effort at the offload to put Jamie George through for a break. Gave away a penalty when going for the jackal in an offside position at 19 minutes and Crowley narrowed the gap to 8-6. Great chase down for his hit on Frawley after Ford’s spiral bomb. Overheard on the ref much calling ‘I’ve got Crowley’, and sent shudders down the fly half's spine. Brilliant line break at 57 minutes, as he exploded into the Ireland backfield. Phenomenal turnover at 67’ as he sends Twickenham into a frenzy. Lifted the roof with his try, as he powered over from close range.
Replacements:
16. Theo Dan - 6
Given a considerable amount of game-time given the magnitude of the match, Dan has established himself as more than just a man to make up the numbers when Jamie George fatigues. Commanded the set-piece well, the Saracen stepped up to the mark and made sure his minutes counted with some grafting carries.
17. Joe Marler - 6.5
Penalised for holding on at 70 minutes, as two Ireland players jackal for the ball. Gifted Ireland a strong attacking position. Redeemed himself with an astounding work rate, making hit after hit when Ireland took the match down to the close quarters. A solid effort from the Harlequin-heavy England bench.
18. Will Stuart - 6
A good outing, yet the bright lights of Twickenham were not pointing in his direction. Working well to do the unseen graft, Stuart lifted the tempo at the scrum and through his wait around the park as he hit a solid amount of rucks.
19. Chandler Cunningham-South - 7
On for Sam Underhill just before the hour mark, and picked up immediately were the back-row left off. Blistering line speed played into the Harlequin's skillset, as he utilised a high tempo in England's blitz defence. His biggest involvement was a bulldozing carry at 76 minutes, as he built up a full head of steam and then offloaded to his club-mate Marcus Smith.
20. Alex Dombrandt - 6
Another Harlequin who influenced the match's latter stages, Dombrandt's inclusion reshuffled the deck and moved Ben Earl out to the flank. Like his fellow Harlequins replacements, Dombrandt upped the intensity upon his arrival, and asked questions of the Irish defence with some solid carries.
21. Danny Care - 7
Huge moment or him, as he made his 100th test cap for England. re-kindled the Harlequins partnership as he linked up with Marcus Smith. Confident box kick at 69 minutes, as Ireland get pinned under pressure. Won the second half battle of the nines as he was constantly pressuring Gibson-Park.
22. Marcus Smith - 8
On at 58 minutes to an eruption of noise, as England missed their talismanic halfback. Flash quick ball from his first inclusion, linked up seamlessly with Danny Care and sent his powerful forwards into punching holes. Could not stop James Lowe on the way to score his second try, despite his best efforts. Unbelievable finishing touch, as he wins the match with a moment of magic with the drop goal!
23. Elliot Daly - 6.5
On for Henry Slade at 66 minutes, and was nailed immediately as he went to the boot and gifted the ball back to Ireland. Stepped up to the mark to slot a penalty from the half-way line, but the effort went wide of the posts. A good outing, yet the barnstorming Feyi-Waboso could well retain his place for the France game.
