"It's over for him" - Five England players who flopped and who should replace them for the Six Nations

Saturday, 26 November 2022 at 21:02

byRugby Rucker

An error-strewn and under-powered England were comfortably seen off by South Africa at Twickenham to end the hosts' autumn in deflating style.

Below, we look at five stars who failed to perform again at Twickenham, and more importantly who could replace them ahead of the upcoming 2023 Six Nations.

#1. Mako Vunipola

Planet Rugby 3/10: "As expected, Frans Malherbe gave him an absolute going over in the set-piece."

Telegraph 4/10: "Penalised at the first scrum for pushing straight down, before getting one back. Off at half-time, probably always the plan, as England turned to Genge’s dynamism to spark life into their attack."

Mail Online 3/10: "First start for 18 months and hooked at half-time like the rest of the front row without making an impact."

I News 5/10: "Like his front-row colleagues, he was hooked after just 40 minutes after a dismal half full of Springbok dominance at the scrum."

Guardian 4/10: "Gave away a penalty at scrum time, won another but had his work cut out against Malherbe before he was part of an entire front row replaced at interval"

Replacement: Joe Marler

Mako Vunipola applauds in the direction of the supporters at full-time followinga the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

#2. Jonny Hill

Planet Rugby 4/10: "So many poor things from the lock, who was another to give away needless penalties."

Telegraph 3/10: "A colossally dumb shove on De Klerk reversed a penalty in a total lack of discipline, which piled pressure on England."

Mail Online 4/10: "Not as prominent as he has been recently. Stupid penalty given away in second half and struggled in match-up with Bok locks."

I News 4/10: "An instrumental part of the flood of silly penalties that England conceded throughout the game. Let his aggression get the better of him too and put his own side under pressure."

Guardian 3/10: "Discipline simply not good enough and gave away stupid penalty when needlessly man-handling De Klerk. Place may come under threat after a poor November."

Replacement: Courtney Lawes

Jonny Hill of England looks dejected after losing during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

#3. Billy Vunipola

Planet Rugby 3/10: "Just dire. Looked so cumbersome in comparison to the dynamic and powerful Springbok pack."

Mail Online 4/10: "Another mixed bag from Big Billy - straight into it from the off but faded before being replaced on 56 minutes."

I News 4/10: "Like Tuilagi, the power he once wielded looked faded. His carrying lacked any real threat and was all too easily swallowed up by the Boks."

Guardian 4/10: " Disappointing knock-on in the second half, a little bit hesitant with ball in hand. Not a great autumn campaign all things considered."

Replacement: Alex Dombrandt

Billy Vunipola of England in possession ahead of Kazuki Himeno of Japan during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.

#4. Alex Coles

Telegraph 3/10: "Penalised for a neck grab and collapsing a maul. Big test for him and it showed."

Mail Online 4/10: "Discipline poor as he leaked penalties, conceding three in the first half, before being taken off early in second half."

I News 5/10: "It’s been a tough autumn for Coles at times, but he seemed to leak mistakes in the first half tonight and lasted just five minutes in the second before being sent to the bench"

Guardian 4/10: "Recalled to the side for his second start but was another whose discipline let him down, twice giving away penalties for his tackles."

Replacement: Jack Willis

Evan Roos of South Africa is tackled by Alex Coles of England during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

#5. Jonny May

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Needed a much-improved performance and he didn’t get it."

Mail Online 5/10: "Failed to make an impression and couldn’t get into the game like he did late last week against New Zealand. Frustrating."

I News 4/10: "Was caught out on the wing a number of times by South Africa. The attacking threat he once posed as a world-class winger looks nowhere to be seen."

Guardian 4/10: "Did his best to involve himself from the off but the stop-start nature of the contest didn’t really suit him. Still a little off the pace."

Replacement: Adam Radwan

Luke Cowan-Dickie of England, Kyle Sinckler of England, Jonny May of England and David Ribbans of England looks dejected after losing during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

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