England Player Ratings vs Ireland: Tuilagi back but Arundell squanders and Van Poortvliet needs to improve

Seven days after their record home defeat to France at Twickenham, Steve Borthwick’s side showed much more intensity and physicality from the first whistle but suffered a severe blow just before half-time with full-back Freddie Steward’s controversial red card in a collision with the Opposite Hugo Keenan.

Nonetheless, England continued to fight valiantly with 14 men, even reducing the deficit to a point before nervous Ireland pulled away with a trio of final attempts, deservedly winning their fourth Grand Slam.

Standard Sport’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal was at the Aviva Stadium to govern the England players.

Move

Freddie steward 6

Confident as ever under the high ball and huge bad luck when sent off.

Anthony Watson6

Again England’s most dangerous attacking player. You need to find a way to get him on the ball regularly.

Henry Slade6

Solid performance from the glue in England’s back line.

Manuel Tuilagi 6

In fairness, the powerhouse looks back on that evidence. England can only hope.

Henry Arundell 5

This rating is absolutely not Arundell’s fault. England promised to use him properly and just didn’t do it.

Far too good a player to be wasted by kicking his heels wide out. The coaches must build a system to maximize his stunning talent.

Owen Farrell 6

Better off hand and kicked off the tee and grafted to put England ahead but had no other level.

Jack van Poortvliet 5

Needs to sharpen core skills if the plan is to just get the ball off the handle with a box kick.

Forward

Ellis Genge 7

A powerful turn of events that shows all about his tenacity and determination after last week’s humiliation against France.

jamie george 7

His attempt was a worthy return for a man devastated after the game against France.

Kyle Sinckler 6

Scrummed well and moved with style.

Maro Itoye 6

Some nice moments, but still doesn’t look quite himself.

David Ribban 6

Covered well for the injured Ollie Chessum.

Lewis Ludlam 6

A real fighter and fine man who promises a lot.

Jack Willis 6

Yellow card aside, this was a smart and smoldering performance.

Alex Dombrandt 6

Surely put yourself around more than last week.

Substitute

Mako Vunipola (for Genge, 64) 6

Gained some big scrum moments on death.

Dan Cole (for Sinckler, 67) 6

Well deserved 100th cap in a great career for the Leicester man.

Nick Isiekwe (for Ribbans, 70) 6

Had precious little time to make anything happen.

Ben Curry (for Willis Blood 52-64, for Dombrandt 64) 6

Stirred things up with a somber show.

Alex Mitchell (for Van Poortvliet, 70) 6th

Barely had time to do anything.

Joe Marchant (for Arundell, 58) 5

Several sloppy moments in a quiet cameo.

Unused: Markus Schmidt.