Check out the England player ratings vs Italy as they came from behind to win in theiropening game of the 2024 Guinness Six Nations in Rome.
RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content
Scroll down for the full England player ratings vs Italy.
In a thrilling second-half turnaround, Alex Mitchell's attempt after the break flipped the script, propelling England ahead after a tight early deficit. George Ford's precise kicking then extended England's lead.
The Italian squad, the Azzurri, had raised hopes of securing their first-ever victory against England, with Alessandro Garbisi and Tommaso Allan finding the net on either side of an Elliot Daly finish for the visiting team.
Despite the spirited effort, Monty Ioane managed to notch a late consolation goal, securing the hosts a valuable losing bonus point.
Italy 17
- Tries: Alessandro Garbisi (10'), Tommaso Allan (25'), Monty Ioane (80')
- Cons: Tommaso Allan (04')
- Pens: Tommaso Allan (12', 26')
England 27
- Tries: Elliot Daly (19'), Alex Mitchell (44')
- Cons: George Ford (15', 32', 37', 53',67')
- Pens: George Ford(45')
RUCK's Man Of The Match:
England player stats:
- Tackles: Jamie George - 10
- Tackles missed: Ollie Chessum - 3
- Carries: Ben Earl - 14
- Metres: Tommy Freeman - 70
- Defenders beaten: Tommy Freeman - 4
- Turnovers Tommy Freeman - 1
PARTNERS LINKS:
- Win a dream trip worth £3,000 to mark the anticipated Guinness Six Nations tournament
- Win a limited edition mini power bank
- Secure your seat to avoid the scrum for the 2024 Six Nations
- Book your 2024 Six Nations travel with Omio today
- Join RUCK’s Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community
England player ratings vs Italy:
15. Freddie Steward - 6.5
Solid under the high ball, yet did not set the Stadio Olimpico alight with his regular darting runs. A confident performance from the Leicester Tigers man.
14. Tommy Freeman - 8
Outstanding on his return to the England squad. Offered the most exciting options in attack, and was narrowly denied a try by the bounce of the ball. Freeman has a bright future, and he maximised his opportunity against Italy.
13. Henry Slade - 6.5
A good return to the England squad for the centre, after missing the grade for the Rugby World Cup. A first-time partnership with Fraser Dingwall caused teething problems, and the centre channel was not the strongest defensive structure on the pitch. Solid ball distribution, as he pushes for future caps.
12. Fraser Dingwall - 6.5
Had the final minute of play not taken place, then Dingwall could have notched up a 7/10. However, the fatigued had set in as he was brushed aside by Monty Ioane, as the Italian wing ran in to score. A strong run-out none the less, and offered a powerful crash ball option on the front foot.
11. Elliot Daly - 6.75
After Daly's selection received a mixed reception by England fans, the Saracen followed this up by providing just that - a real mixed bag. Starred in the try yet all credit to Tommy Freeman, Daly was a danger out on the left wing. A bizarre decision to trip up Menoncello and get sent to the sin bin.
10. George Ford – vice captain - 7.5
Leading from the front once again, this George Ford performance had a feel of the World Cup opener against Argentina about it. After a chaotic first 20 minutes of Italian attack, Ford calmed his troops and ticked the scoreboard over to regain control of the match. Departed for Fin Smith having established a foothold in the match.
9. Alex Mitchell - 7.25
Quick ball was distributed as per, with Alex Mitchell kicking into his grove as England's first choice scrum half. The Northampton man linked up seamlessly with George Ford, and transferred his telepathic connection to Fin Smith, when his Saints teammate debuted off the bench. Good to see him rewarded with a try, as he caught the Italians sleeping.
1. Joe Marler - 7
A strong performance from Marler, who is entering the Danny Care relms of ageing like a fine wine. Marler remains amongst the world's best on the loose-head of the scrum, yet England fans didn't get their usual serving of heavy carries from the Harlequins prop. High quality at the chop tackle and in overall defence, in what is an underrated area of Marler's game.
2. Jamie George – captain - 7
Tasked today with his first run as England captain, Jamie George led his side well and avoided what would have been a history making upset defeat. The Saracen was solid around the park, despite some unexpected question marks coming at the line-out. The top man for England in defence, as he made 10 tackles overall.
3. Will Stuart - 6
A middle of the road performance for the Bath tight-head, who would have wanted to showcase his talents better this afternoon in Rome. Stuart did carry on a handful of occassions, yet did not reach the heights that have since pushed Kyle Sinckler out of the squad.
4. Maro Itoje – vice captain - 7
Stepping up as ever, and rising to the big moments. Re-kindled his lock partnership with Ollie Chessum in the England engine room. Lost the battle in the air on one occassion, but made up for the error with a key turnover close to the England try-line.
5. Ollie Chessum - 6.5
Here's hoping that Ollie Chessum makes a swift return, as he was seen limping off in way for Alex Coles as the match entered it's final 10 minutes. Chessum was firing hot around the park in the early goings, yet will be disappointed to have missed three tackles in this match.
6. Ethan Roots - 8
The man of the match on the day, Exeter Chiefs back-row Ethan Roots could not have dreamt up a better international debut. A strong all round performance, with his physicality showcased in the ruck and collision. Roots made a key carry on the run up to Daly's try, and also excelled in the air at line-out time.
7. Sam Underhill - 6.5
Hitting hard in defence, but didn't offer his best on the offensive side of the ball. Underhill did an impressive job of leading Roots through his first England game, to the extent that the debutant excelled past Underhill from a performance perspective. A solid engine, he emptied the tank for Chandler Cunningham-South to make his mark.
8. Ben Earl - 7.5
England's most consistent option to put them on the front foot, Ben Earl racked up a total of 14 carries to keep his side moving forward. The Saracen has settled in nicely to his role at the back of the pack, and was a key motivator for England's win, which came tougher than most would have expected.
Replacements
16. Theo Dan - 5.5
Coming off the bench for his Saracens mentor and now England captain Jamie George, Theo Dan was tasked to empty the tank in the match's closing moments. No drastic errors to report, yet the hooker did not bring the immediate tempo lifting spark from the bench.
17. Beno Obano – 5.5
A similar case for Beno Obano, in relation to Theo Dan's performance. Obano was a late call-up for the England game, as he filled in for Ellis Genge following a late foot injury. Obano had to follow Joe Marler's strong performance, yet provided a solid base for the match's closing set-pieces.
18. Dan Cole - 6.75
The veteran tight-head came off the bench for Will Stuart, and presented real argument for a return to the starting line-up.
19. Alex Coles - 6
A solid all-round shift after replacing Chessum in the second half. A strong work rate saw him consistently hit the rucks, and he did not miss a beat at the set-piece.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South - 7.5
The top performer from Borthwick's debuting replacements, and second only to Ethan Roots for the uncapped players who excelled against Italy. The personification of maximising your minutes, Cunningham-South was on the pitch for a brief run towards the end of the game, yet contributed key moments in defence to piece together a mini highlight reel.
21. Danny Care - 6
A solid outing from the scrum half, who's experience spoke volumes to see out the victory in the match's closing moments.
22. Fin Smith - 6.5
The Northampton fly half linked well with Alex Mitchell, and then turned up well with a first time partnership alongside Danny Care.
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - N/a
PARTNERS LINKS:
- Win a dream trip worth £3,000 to mark the anticipated Guinness Six Nations tournament
- Win a limited edition mini power bank
- Secure your seat to avoid the scrum for the 2024 Six Nations
- Book your 2024 Six Nations travel with Omio today
- Join RUCK’s Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community
QUIZ: Can You Name Every England Six Nations Captain (2000 – 2024)
The Six Nations are back this weekend, and England begin their competition with an away trip to Italy. Head coach Steve Borthwick has selected a new captain for the tournament, can you name him, and 19 other players that have lead the team since the year 2000?
You have five minutes, and your time starts now!
