PLAYER RATINGS: Maro Itoje shows why he’s the best player in the world and a nightmare to play against while Sam Underhill is up there with England’s greatest ever flankers
- England came from behind to beat Wales in the Autumn Nations Cup
- Maro Itoje showed why he’s considered as the world’s best player
- Sam Underhill and Owen Farrell also impressed for Eddie Jones’ side
England came from behind to beat Wales to reach the Autumn Nations Cup final with a 24-13 victory at the Parc y Scarlets.
Johnny Williams had put Wales in front with a runaway try in before a score from Henry Slade and two Owen Farrell penalties put England 11-7 ahead at half-time. Mako Vunipola then added a second half try.
Sportsmail’s Adam Hathaway runs the rule over England’s performance…
England came from behind to beat Wales 24-13 in the Autumn Nations Cup on Saturday
Elliot Daly – 6
Decent in the back field but didn’t get the chance to run rampant in attack as he should do
Jonathan Joseph – 7
Stepped of his wing to get busy and was eager for work but still a centre in a wing shirt.
Henry Slade – 7
Cost England one try with a kick, but a decent defensive showing. And a potential Lion
Owen Farrell (capt) – 8
Skipper looks so much more comfortable at 12. Best game he has had since the World Cup in Japan
Owen Farrell looked more in control at 12 as he had his best game since the World Cup
Jonny May – 8
No rock star try like last week’s era defining score but May’s work under the high ball was off the scale
George Ford – 8
England look so much better with Ford at 10. Brings imagination to the game.
Ben Youngs – 7
Kicked well and got England on the front foot when the pack gave him room.
Mako Vunipola – 8
Won the argument at scrum time. A third British & Irish tour beckons for the loose head.
Mako Vunipola won the argument at scrum time as a third British & Irish tour beckons
Jamie George – 8
Yet another nuts and bolts display from the hooker. He just does nothing wrong.
Kyle Sinckler – 7
Gave it to the Welsh early on and never backs down. With Mako Vunipola and Jamie George that makes a front row.
Maro Itoje – 9
The world’s best player. What a nightmare to play against, He does it week in, week out. Elbows and knees and a proper leader.
The world’s best player, Maro Itoje, showed why just he’s a nightmare to play against
Joe Launchbury – 8
Never has a bad game. One lineout steal sucked the life out of Wales and his consistent carrying dented them.
Tom Curry – 8
Another brutal display from one of the hardest hitting England flankers around. He’s a kid but is a man
Sam Underhill – 9
Hits hard and carries hard. Richard Hill is the greatest flanker England have seen – Underhill is up there.
Sam Underhill hits and carries hard – he is up there with England’s greatest ever flankers
Billy Vunipola – 8
Back to his best, Vunipola on the front foot is a handful. He was on Saturday as he carried hard into Welsh.
Replacements used: Luke Cowan-Dickie 5, Ellis Genge 6, Will Stuart 5, Jonny Hill 6 , Ben Earl 7, Jack Willis 7, Dan Robson 6, Anthony Watson 7
REFEREE: Romain Poite (FRA)
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