Player Ratings: England 31 - 14 Italy

by Imogen Ainsworth Monday 13 February 2023

Jack Willis scored a try and made 20 tackles on his Twickenham return

©David Howlett

After disappointment on the opening weekend of the Guinness Six Nations with a loss to Scotland, just over a week later England got off the mark under Steve Borthwick with a 31-14 victory over Italy.

Following the game, Imogen Ainsworth has rated the players on both teams.

England

15. Freddie Steward - 6

A fairly quiet game for the England full-back, a feeling that his talent is yet to be unlocked in this championship. Wasn’t able to gather a cross-field kick from Farrell. Far less flair than his opposite man, but this was more of a game for the forwards.

14. Max Malins – 7

No tries for Malins this week after a brace against Scotland last week, however a fairly solid game nonetheless. Set up van Poortvliet well for a try in the first half which was swiftly discounted for obstruction from Lawrence in the build-up. Looked lively on the pitch, and made eight tackles.

13. Henry Slade – 7

A sound performance for his return to the squad following injury. A welcome left boot in the side, however, he did make three handling errors. The partnership with Lawrence worked well for England. A 50% tackle success, making four and missing four.

12. Ollie Lawrence - 8

An emotional game for Lawrence after a tumultuous year. Could he be the answer to England’s centre conundrum? He certainly fought his corner for the 12 shirt. Some bolstering crash runs through the middle, and the highest number of metres made (84) in the team. Provided some much-needed power and drive in the centres that hasn’t always been seen with Farrell at 12. Gelled well with Slade.

11. Ollie Hassell-Collins - 5

Debut nerves appeared evident in last weekend’s loss to Scotland, and the new man didn’t make much of an impact in round two. Perhaps understandable as the game played out to be one which favoured England’s forward pack, however, no sparks were ignited on his wing. Yet to see his impact in an England shirt. Only made 17 metres with two carries and was replaced by Henry Arundell who made more of an impact in his 26 minutes in the game.

10. Owen Farrell - 7

The first appearance for England at fly-half in almost two years. Controlled the game well and provided composure in the middle. An awful lot of kicking in the 22 which didn’t materialise into anything of note. Redeemed himself this week by rectifying his mistakes from the tee which haunted him in the loss to Scotland.

9. Jack van Poortvliet – 7

A well-managed game from the scrum half allowing the forwards to carry and led the team well in their new quick-ball attacking goals. He was unfortunate to have his try chalked off after running a brilliant line as teammate Lawrence was called on for obstruction in the build-up.

1. Ellis Genge - 7.5

Another strong performance from the Bristolian. The vice-captain set up former Tigers teammate Ollie Chessum with a smooth pass metres out for the team’s second try. A force to be reckoned with in the front row, winning a number of penalties. Another week of strong carrying for the ‘Baby Rhino’.

2. Jamie George -7

A much-improved line-out compared to the previous week. A cleverly timed try from the rolling maul in the first half saw him total 12 international tries in his career to date. Played a key part in England’s set piece.

3. Kyle Sinckler - 7

Unlucky to be replaced perhaps prematurely with a cut to the face making way for Dan Cole 50 minutes in. Worked well with the tight-knit front row who overpowered their Italian counterparts. Put himself to work in both attack and defence, making 12 tackles with a 92% success rate.

4. Maro Itoje -6.5

A more noticeable performance than last week, however still not fully firing, perhaps he is saving this for later in the championship. Strong from the lineout and safely delivered the ball to Willis for his score. Played his part in defence well, making 17 tackles.

5. Ollie Chessum - 8

Another great week in general for the lock capped off with his first try in an England shirt. A slightly nervy start which saw him knock the ball on, but this was quickly shaken off as the opening minutes ticked by. Made the 37 metres in the game and nine tackles. Helped his mate Farrell out in his grapple with Negri, giving him the upper hand before leaving the two to fight their own battles.

6. Lewis Ludlam – 7

Great performance once again from the Saint. England’s top tackler, making 22 and missing 3. Another strong option in England’s line out which was largely successful. He made 25 metres with a series of strong carries.

7. Jack Willis – 9

A fairy-tale return to Twickenham after a nightmare couple of years. It felt apt that England’s first try went to Willis who spotted a gap and peeled off from the maul to dot down, catching the Italian defence unaware. A battering ram in defence, making 21 tackles in his 53 minutes on the field while only missing 2. He was a pest at the breakdown, winning a turnover for his efforts.

8. Alex Dombrandt - 6.5

An improved performance from the previous round, with far fewer handling errors despite an early knock-on. Two turnovers won, the most carries (12) and the most metres made (70) out of all of England’s forward pack. Looked far more balanced than last week’s outing.

Replacements

('73) Jack Walker – 5

Only seven minutes played but a memorable first cap for the Quins man. Three tackles, all successful.

(’54) Mako Vunipola – 6

(’49) Dan Cole – 6

(’65) Nick Isiekwe – 6

('53) Ben Earl – 6

(’60) Alex Mitchell – 7

(’54) Henry Arundell – 7

First Six Nations and Twickenham appearance with a try to cap the day off. His try-scoring prowess impressed the crowd which subsequently produced a shower of beer on the press box.

Italy

15. Ange Cupozzo - 6

Some moments of promise from the ‘racing snake’ occasionally calling into question England’s defence skipping out of their grip. Most metres made in the match (127) some of which led to the first try. An electric presence with the ball nonetheless.

14. Edoardo Padovani – 5

One turnover and one penalty conceded, however, he made some pacy breaks. Kept England’s defence on their toes, but ultimately they got the better of him.

13. Juan Ignacio Brex - 6

Was the more impressive of the two Italian centres, particularly with ball in hand.

12. Luca Morisi – 5

The London Irish man was overshadowed by fellow premiership centre Lawrence and conceded two penalties. Some strong carries but these materialised as nothing more than a few seconds of positivity. Three tackles missed.

11. Tommaso Menoncello - 6

Spotted space in England’s defence in to gain vital metres in the lead-up to the team’s second try and managed to stay on his feet well in the process. He made 33 metres and seven tackles with a success rate of 70%.

10. Tommaso Allan - 6

Allan is not used to being part of the away team in TW2, playing for the club over the road at Twickenham Stoop with some familiar faces from the England side. A few good kicks however nothing materialised. Joint first in the team for tackles made (13) with Giacomo Nicotera.

9. Stephen Varney - 6

Played well and controlled possession, however, JVP was slightly more impressive. Warmed into the game.

1. Danilo Fischetti - 5

Not the best day for Italy’s front row who for the most part were overpowered by England. Took it upon himself to execute an exit kick, much to the amusement of the crowd.

2. Giacomo Nicotera - 6

One of Italy’s key figures defensively (13 tackles, 93% success). He made seven carries totalling 36 metres made.

3. Marco Riccioni - 6

Despite being overpowered at scrum time by opposite number Genge, Riccioni managed to pierce his way through England’s defence to score, beating both Genge and Ludlam.

4. Niccolo Cannone – 4.5

Not too much of note, two penalties conceded and six tackles made.

5. Frederico Ruzza - 5

Found himself on the wing at one point but was unable to gather the ball which soared over his head.

6. Sebastian Negri - 6

Put in a huge tackle on Farrell, however, the kerfuffle which followed on the floor was not his finest hour and unfortunately drew the positivity away from the initial hit, however, the tussle wasn’t spotted by referee James Doleman. Apart from this, he enjoyed some strong carries and was a real threat with ball in hand.

7. Michele Lamaro - 4

It was a shame to see Italy’s captain leave the field after 20 minutes after he wasn’t able to recover from a tackle from Itoje.

8. Lorenzo Cannone - 4

A yellow card from the breakdown performed far better against France.