"Miles off it" – Four England Players Who Must Be Dropped For Six Nations Opener
Today at 01:55 PM
England snapped their five-match losing run with a commanding nine-try victory over Eddie Jones’ Japan at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
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This long-awaited win in the Autumn Nations Series marked Steve Borthwick’s side's first success after narrow losses to New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.
Despite the result, England’s defensive vulnerabilities were once again on display, with Japan breaking through multiple times. With Ireland up next in Dublin for the Six Nations opener, Borthwick will need to make some key changes to his squad.
#1. George Furbank
RUCK Rating: 4/10
“A quiet afternoon for the Saints fullback. Furbank will have been hoping to prove a point after losing his spot to Freddie Steward last week. His try was set up by a sensational piece of play from Tommy Freeman, but he was subbed off for Fin Smith straight after.”
Telegraph Rating: 6/10
“England hopes that his partnership with Marcus Smith would shine, but like many others, he made a couple of poor defensive decisions.”
Replacement: Freddie Steward
#2. George Martin
RUCK Rating: 5/10
“Some decent touches in midfield, and his ability to step in as a secondary playmaker is a plus. However, Borthwick might look to deploy a more physically dominant inside centre, as Lawrence seems to perform better at 13.”
Planet Rugby Rating: 5/10
“Defensively solid but didn't do much else in attack. Martin fulfilled his role but was outshone by others in the backline.”
Telegraph Rating: 5/10
“Had minimal game time coming into the campaign, and it showed. He struggled to keep pace and uncharacteristically missed a few tackles.”
Replacement: Ollie Chessum
#3. Jack van Poortvliet
Express Rating: 5/10
“A knock-on cost Tommy Freeman a Test try, and van Poortvliet is still finding his rhythm after injury.”
RUCK Rating: 7/10
“Strengthened his case to be England's second-choice scrum-half. His kicking under pressure was solid, but the knock-on that denied Freeman's try will be frustrating.”
Planet Rugby Rating: 5/10
“His kicking was below standard, and he was slightly off in a few areas. Not a disaster, but the impact was less noticeable compared to Harry Randall.”
Replacement: Alex Mitchell
#4. Henry Slade
RUCK Rating: 5/10
“Had some nice touches in midfield and offers versatility as a secondary playmaker. But Borthwick might be tempted to deploy a more physical inside centre, with Lawrence better suited to the 13 position.”
Planet Rugby Rating: 4/10
“Not a true 12 in our eyes. He showed some decent linking play, but his defensive reads put his outside backs under pressure. The jury is still out on whether he's the right fit for this midfield role.”
Telegraph Rating: 5/10
“Some moments of brilliance, but never really took control of the game. Slade has been criticized for this in the past. His defensive lapses also cost England at times.”
Replacement: Oscar Beard
Editors Picks:
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- Eddie Jones included in the contenders to replace Wales boss Warren Gatland
- Former England captain Owen Farrell will return to international rugby in 2025
- Ireland Fans Left Stunned by what Fiji Players' Did Before Today's Match
Can you name every England Rugby captain of the professional era?
Whether it’s the grit of Will Carling in the 90s, the tactical brilliance of Martin Johnson, or the fearless leadership of Owen Farrell, this quiz will challenge even the most dedicated fans.
Think you can name them all? Grab your boots and let’s see how well you know the men who led England into battle on the world stage!
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