England player ratings: Ford saves the day but Arundell lacklustre

George Ford completed a late turnaround as Steve Borthwick’s side avoided an all-out crisis but the victory was tempered by a red card for captain Owen Farrell.

Nick Purewal was at Twickenham to rate the England players…

Freddie Steward – 5

Reckless yellow card so nearly cost England the match.

Henry Arundell – 5

Another lacklustre showing and one that will concern Borthwick.

Joe Marchant – 6

Absolutely no chance to shine behind a pack that could not generate any ball.

Ollie Lawrence – 6

One power carry aside, as with Marchant he did not have the platform to perform.

Elliot Daly – 7

Showed flashes of the absolute class that will have him a certain starter in France.

Owen Farrell – 5

His tackle technique will come under renewed scrutiny after a poor red card.

Jack Van Poortvliet – 5

Struggled to impose himself and limped off with a worrying knee injury.

Joe Marler – 6

Scrummaged well early on but faded.

Jamie George – 7

Thew himself into everything and was pivotal to the late rally.

Will Stuart – 6

Set-piece slipped off again after a good first-half.

Maro Itoje – 6

Grabbed the try to turn the tide and kept in the fight.

George Martin – 6

Looked hampered by a knee issue but grafted hard.

Courtney Laws – 6

Still inching back to top fitness but threatened in patches.

Ben Earl – 7

Grew as the game went on despite the carnage around him.

Billy Vunipola – 6

A good first hit-out for the fit-again powerhouse.

REPLACEMENTS:

Ellis Genge (for Marler ’53) – 6

Sin-binned straight off the bench but recovered well and was aggressive and focused.

Dan Cole (for Stuart ’56) – 7

Helped England find some late ballast from nowhere.

George Ford (for Arundell, 56) – 8

Saved the day at the last when England lost Farrell. Showed England the direction they had so lacked.