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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Gerard Meagher

Wales 40-24 England: Six Nations player ratings from Cardiff

England’s Maro Itoje looks unimpressed at the Principality Stadium
England’s Maro Itoje looks unimpressed at the Principality Stadium. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Wales

Liam Williams So reliable under high ball and alert to deny Itoje after charge down. Was on hand to finish Wales’ controversial second try. 9

Louis Rees-Zammit Everything he touches turns to gold – even when he promptly drops it. Proved he had the pace to beat May late on. 6

George North Clearly emotional during the anthems on his 100th cap and left everything out there. Excelled in defence. 8

Jonathan Davies Lasted 50 minutes on a solid if unspectacular return. Jury remains out on his centre partnership with North. 6

Josh Adams Marked first match back from bubble breach ban with a try and was busy without really imposing himself. 7

Dan Biggar Smart kick for Adams’ try and a fierce competitor for his 45 minutes on the field. Excellent from the tee. 7

Kieran Hardy Charged down by Itoje but didn’t let it faze him. Only his fourth cap but it didn’t show and caught England napping for try. 7

Wyn Jones Came into the match in fine fettle but came up against a worthy competitor in Sinckler. No major complaints. 6

Ken Owens Has brought so much in terms of experience on his return to the side. One or two wobbles at the lineout but gave his all. 7

Tomas Francis Bloodied but unbowed. A decent showing from the Exeter Chief who enjoyed coming up against a few of his clubmates. 6

Adam Beard Came up with an important steal at the lineout and got through his usual mountain of work. Made a few carries. 7

Alun Wyn Jones (capt) Staggering to think this was his 23rd consecutive start against England. A calming influence on his side. 8

Josh Navidi A truckload of tackles and part of a back row that came out on top. Cardiff contests often come down to that area of the game. 8

Justin Tipuric Seems unthinkable he couldn’t get a game for Wales not that long ago. Blue scrum cap makes him stand out; so does his class. 8

Taulupe Faletau Always seems to relish the battle with his close friend Billy Vunipola and came out on top. Faletau has footwork to die for. 9

REPLACEMENTS Elliot Dee (for Owens 63) 7; Rhodri Jones (for W Jones 63) 6; Leon Brown (for Francis 67) N/A; Cory Hill (for Beard 56) Another try against England 7; James Botham (for Navidi 70) N/A; Gareth Davies (for Hardy 65) 6; Callum Sheedy (for Biggar 45) Made huge difference 8; Willis Halaholo (for Davies 51) Dangerous runner 6.

Elliot Dee and Taulupe Faletau tackle Owen Farrell
Elliot Dee and Taulupe Faletau tackle Owen Farrell. Photograph: David Rogers/The RFU Collection/Getty Images

England

Elliot Daly Began promisingly, finally playing with head up and eyes open, but some dreadful errors crept in again as the pressure gauge moved up a couple of notches. 5

Anthony Watson Was excellent against Italy and came up with another well-taken try here. One of England’s better performers. 7

Henry Slade Had the opportunity to glide through a few gaps but you are so often left wanting him to really grab the game by the scruff. 6

Owen Farrell (capt) Will make headlines for losing cool with Gauzere, even if he had a valid argument. Couldn’t sort out England’s discipline. 5

Jonny May After his duel with Rees-Zammit was hyped, neither really lived up to their billing. A pretty quiet tournament hitherto. 5

George Ford Fizzed some passes around. England’s attack was more fluid but game management was not there. 6

Ben Youngs An impressive showing overall with one clever snipe in the first half and a delightful pass to free Slade. Then came up with the try. 7

Mako Vunipola One of those matches where he looks like he’s been playing for weeks on end when he trudges off. 6

Jamie George Had a point to prove after recall and while lineout wasn’t flawless he came up with the key pass to put Watson away. 5

Kyle Sinckler Set about his business with usual tenacity. As Eddie Jones would say, a zoo tiger not a jungle tiger. 6

Maro Itoje Four penalties against in 28 minutes is not good enough but some were on the harsh side. A nuisance but a serial offender. 4

Jonny Hill Important lineout steal with England under pressure but at fault for the penalty from which Hardy scored his try. 4

Mark Wilson Called in to add work-rate and breakdown nous. The former is a given with Wilson but had his work cut out at the latter. 5

Tom Curry Industry typified by charge down and got better and better. Could have done with Sam Underhill or Jack Willis next to him. 6

Billy Vunipola In his own words, had been playing “rubbish” but came up with a few gallops. Getting there, but still not quite at his best. 6

REPLACEMENTS Luke Cowan-Dickie (for George 60) Solid 6; Ellis Genge (for M Vunipola 67) Gave away penalty 5; Charlie Ewels (for Hill 58) Ill-disciplined 5; Ben Earl (for Wilson 70) Surely time for a start now 6; Dan Robson (for Youngs 70) Silly penalty against 5; Max Malins (for Daly 75) n/a

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