England player ratings vs Scotland: 2025 Six Nations

Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 18:45

byTom Sansom

England player ratings vs Scotland: Steve Borthwick's men come from behind to win the Calcutta Cup at the Allianz Stadium.

Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!

In a thrilling Six Nations encounter, England fly-half Fin Smith was the hero as he guided his team to a 16-15 win over Scotland at Twickenham, securing their first home victory against the Scots since 2017.

The 22-year-old, whose grandfather was a Scottish prop, delivered a masterclass after the break, helping to shut out the Scots in the second half. A crucial long-range penalty from Smith proved to be the match-winning moment, giving England the edge.

The game got off to a sizzling start with three tries in the opening quarter – Ben White and Huw Jones for Scotland, and Tommy Freeman for England – suggesting a high-scoring thriller was on the cards, reminiscent of the unforgettable 38-38 draw six years ago. But what followed was a tense arm-wrestle, with both teams battling for supremacy.

With less than a minute remaining, Duhan van der Merwe crossed for a try in the corner, putting Scotland on the brink of a stunning win. However, Finn Russell's tricky conversion attempt sailed wide, leaving England with a hard-earned victory.

Scroll down for England player ratings vs Scotland.

England: 16

Tries: Freeman (9)
Conversions: Smith (9)
Penalties: Smith (56,67), Smith (71)

Scotland: 15

Tries: White (4), Jones (19), van der Merwe (78')
Conversions:
Penalties:

England player ratings vs Scotland:

15. Marcus Smith 6

Opened his account from the tee with ease after a difficult day of kicking against France. Missed a tackle on Duhan van der Merwe in the build-up to Huw Jones' try, as the wing offloaded the ball to the try-scoring centre. Knocked on a high ball at 28 minutes under plenty of pressure from the Scots. Sliced a 28th-minute clearance kick, met with jeers and whistles from Scotland fans. Made a blistering break off the back of Ollie Lawrence's crash-ball carry. Led England off the tee with some important penalties sent through the sticks.

14. Tommy Freeman – 8

Opened England's try-scoring account as his side responded to Scotland's hot start. Exploded onto the ball with a full head of steam and powered past Finn Russell's tackle attempt to score. Chased high balls well, making a series of strong tackles after Mitchell and Smith sent the ball skyward. Brilliant box-kick chase led to a crunching 48th-minute hit on Van der Merwe.

13. Ollie Lawrence – 8.5

Drove to the line effectively, drawing plenty of attention as the sole change to Borthwick's squad this week. A thunderous 30th-minute hit on Jamie Ritchie echoed around the Allianz, marking England’s biggest tackle of the first half. Executed an excellent counter-ruck at 36 minutes after tackling Kinghorn. Made a brilliant carry in the final play of the first half before releasing Marcus Smith in support. However, his offload in the following phase failed to find Sleightholme out wide. A solid shift from the Bath centre.

12. Henry Slade 7.5

Early test of Scotland defence with grubber into back-field off first attack. Nice kicking to touch, yet slipped off a couple of first up tackles. An noteable miss on van der Merwe, just seconds after his midfield partner Ollie Lawrence had flattened Ritchie. Great turnover at 37 minutes, with England winning possession from 3m out of danger. Lawrence could not keep hold of his 43rd minute offload, which was a fine pass from the Exeter man. Knocked the ball on in contact at 52 minutes, as England forged a dangerous looking drive. Great awareness to make a 59th minute tackle on Finn Russell, after initially turning his back to the Scotland fly half.

11. Ollie Sleightholme 6

Good drives to the line, plenty of focus upon him as the sole change to Borthwick's squad this week. A thunderous 30th minute hit on Jamie Ritchie sent echoes around the Allianz, in what was England's best hit of the first half. Excellent counterruck at 36 minutes, after making a hit on Kinghorn. Brilliant carry in the last play of the first half, before unleashing Marcus Smith in support. The following phase's offload failed to find Sleightholme out wide, in what was a solid shift from the Bath centre.

10. Fin Smith 8

Nice link play with Alex Mitchell, as the Northampton pairing led England's attack. Put his body on the line against Scotland's crunching crash ball carriers, in what was a bruising defensive effort. A heart-stopping hit on Huw Jones at 35 minutes, with the Scotland man sent hard to the deck, as Smith stood tall. A great hit on Tom Jordan to excite the fans, as England then isolated the Scot and won a turnover at thr 50 minute mark. A thunderous penalty from half way gave England a nice cushion into the last 10 minutes.

9. Alex Mitchell 7

Nice box kicks from the scrum half, and sent his Northampton teammates Sleightholme and Freeman charging down the wings to nail the catching player. Excellent touch-finder of a box kick to clear danger at 27 minutes. Confident to send the box kicks to their touch-line targets when under pressure. Got into a brief scuffle with his opposite man Ben White, as tempers flared at the hour mark.

1. Ellis Genge 7

Strong tackles from the loose-head, who kept low to the deck and made some feirce chop hits on his opposition. Won a scrum penalty with Will Stuart at 25 minutes, as England cleared the lines from their own 5m. Some solid carries from the Baby Rhino, yet he was missing his crash (a pack of Rhinos), as Genge was isolated and turnedover at the breakdown on a couple of occassions.

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie 6

Killed the ball at 13th minute, with Scotland unable to play the ball at the ruck. Penalised for his efforts, as Scotland won a scrum in a dangerous position. Missed some first up tackles against the likes of Blair Kinghorn and Huw Jones. Great work in the scrum as England won a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

3. Will Stuart 7

Won a scrum penalty with Genge at 25 minutes, as England cleared the lines from their own 5m. Gave away a free kick at the scrum at 44 minutes, as the Bath man was overeager to engage. Won a scrum penalty against Pierre Schoeman, as he forced the loose-head to drive in at an angle.

4. Maro Itoje 7

Lead his team with his heart on his sleeve, as emotion overflowed at the Allianz. Itoje's pre-match message centred around a need for England to keep their heads and avoid 'blind rage', with Itoje at the heartbeat of the defense. Over-eager at times, with Itoje penalised for offside. Excellent work in a 38th minute maul, to help his side win possession from a Scottish line-out. Great rip on Zander Fagerson, to halt Scotland's attackjing threat at 46 minutes.

5. Ollie Chessum 6.5

Plenty of focus upon him as Borthwick's sole change, threw the ball out off the back of the ruck to no one, lucky England had a knock on advantrage. Strong form in the air, as the lock won the areal battle time and again. Solid connection with Jamie George. After a clash of heads with Jonny Gray, Chessum was step off the tempo after recieving medical attention, as his face bore the scars of battle.

6. Tom Curry 7

Flying out of the line for massive hits. The ref mic picked up the intensity of the clatters. A brilliant hit on van der Merwe sent the titantic tartan wing into touch, with the flyer feeling the effects of the collision. Recieved some treatment from the medics, whilst his twin brother had the plaudits of winning a strong breakdown turnover. Limped off at 46 minutes, after a heavy collision with Zander Fagerson. Shaking his head as he left, the Sale man could be out again for a while.

7. Ben Earl 7

Penalised for going off his feet at the 22nd minute, in what was a dangerous place for England to secure a turnover. Pivoted back to number eight when Willis was withdrawn. Execeptional work to make a covering tackle on Jamie Ritchie, with a stunning work rate shown at 46 minutes.

8. Tom Willis 5

Penalised for holding onto the ball at the breakdown, as Scotland pin England back at the 11th minute. Carried well over the hard yards, yet Scotland committed multiple men to the crash ball option. Withdrawn for a HIA at 36 minutes, after an accidental clash of heads with Ellis Genge in a double-tackle attempt. The news broke over the PA system that Willis' HIA was failed, with the Saracen sitting out of the second half.

REPLACEMENTS:

16. Jamie George 7

Solid intoduction to the match, as England took command of the set-piece battle. Commanded England's line-out and won an early scrum penalty in the revitalised front row.

17. Fin Baxter 6.5

Recieved a huge ovation as he entered the fray, and some choice words of support from the departing Genge.

18. Joe Heyes 5

19. Ted Hill n/a

20. Chandler Cunningham-South 6.5

On with a statement to make, as Tom Curry limped off the pitch. Immediatly involved with carries over the gain-line,

21. Ben Curry 7

On after just 36 minutes as a HIA replacement for Tom Willis. Brilliant clear out early in the second half, with a strong penalty won just moments after being made a permanent replacement. Lost the ball in contact, as Jamie Ritchie was rapid over the breakdown.

22. Harry Randall 6.5

Distributed the ball well, but sent his first box kick high but not to it's intended distance. Rapid tempo around the pitch elevated England's attack into the final quarter of the match. Randall was lifted off the deck by two Scotland players, and won England a penalty as a result.

23. Elliot Daly 7

The Saracen swept well in the back-field, as Scotland tried to stub neat grubber kicks into dangerous areas. The experienced fullback was well accustomed to claiming the high balls, and had a strong showing under pressure. A wayward 50-22 failed to bounce before rolling over the touchline, as Daly tried to clear pressure at 72 minutes.

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