Rugby College: Six Nations: France v England

Sunday, 2 February 2014

Six Nations: France v England - player ratings

Mike Brown – 7

Had to play wing for all but five minutes and still managed to

grab a great try. He would have preferred to stay at No15 but is so

versatile heÂ has to fill the gaps.

Jack Nowell – 6

Knocked on first touch and France scored but he put that behind

him to become a useful attacking option. Has learnt that he must

offer more out wide

Luther Burrell – 6

Grabbed a try on his debut but at times the game passed him by

and he ended up on the wing as England brought on more experience.

Will get better.

Billy Twelvetrees – 8

Big game in mid-field and he was solid in defence and always

willing to take the ball up. Is growing into the role and will have

lots more to offer this season.

Jonny May – 6

Very unfortunate after clash left him with a broken nose inside

5 minutes. That will rule him out of the Scotland game. He would

have loved the try opportunity that Brown finished off.

Owen Farrell – 7

Cramped up at the end of a draining match that showed he is

maturing as a leader and controller of the game. Still needs to

find that extra yard of speed.

Danny Care – 9

Fantastic game from the live-wire scrum half who was taken off

after running himself into the ground for 60mins andÂ unlucky

not to get the try he deserved.

Joe Marler – 7

Strong in every area of the ferocious forward battle and shored

up the scrum during the bad times. Did his usual work in the loose,

making his tackles with zest.

Dylan Hartley – 7

Made sure the England line out operated like a well-oiled

machine. Was a willing ball carrier and ensured the front row was

never in real trouble while on pitch.

Dan Cole – 7

Popped out of late scrum but was in credit from all the other

areas of his game and England cannot afford to have him injured at

any time this season.

Joe Launchbury – 8

Big man, big game and was still putting in the tackles at the

end. Is becoming absolutely vital to Englandâ€™s pack and a real

force in every area of play.

Courtney Lawes – 8

An immense game from the lock who called the line-out well and

was very combative in the close quarter. Is growing into a mature

forward and hard man.

Tom Wood – 7

Wood was tireless but error prone at times. Positives outweighed

the negatives but he will be unhappy with a handling gaffe that saw

France score a try.

Chris Robshaw (c) – 8

Led by example, racing into every contact to compete with bigger

opponents. Will be a force all through the championship and will

take defeat hard.

Billy Vunipola – 9

What a coming of age from the Sarries No8. He started slowly and

then burst into life to become an absolute charging bull for his

team. What a talent he is.

Replacements:

Brad Barritt – 6 Came on late to shore up

defence.

Alex Goode – 8 Played really well and should

start.

Lee Dickson – 7 Busy as always and good

service.

Mako Vunipola – 7 Made an impact as always.

Tom Youngs – 7 Carried the ball well and hit

hard.

Dave Attwood – 6 Put himself about to good

effect.

Ben Morgan – 8 Bullocking runs and big impact.