England kicked off their Six Nations campaign in disappointing fashion on Saturday, losing against Ireland in Dublin as they went down 27-22.
Maro Itoje was taking charge of his first game as captain, and things started well when Cadan Murley went over for the visitors in what was ultimately a closely-fought game.
After Ronan Kelleher had a try cancelled as the hosts began to take control, Jamison Gibson-Park scored his side’s first try, and Bundee Aki did the same in the second half with England having led at the break.
Tadhg Beirne also went over as the hosts added to their lead, and Steve Borthwick will be wondering ‘what if’ as he turns his attention to France.
Dan Sheehan added salt into the wounds late on, and Ireland will once again take some beating as they look to retain their title.
Mail Sport’s SHANE MCGRATH and ALEX BYWATER were at the Aviva Stadium to rate the players.
Ireland got the better of England as the two sides kicked off their Six Nations campaigns
England fell to a 27-22 defeat in Maro Itoje’s first game since being appointed captain
Ireland, meanwhile, worked for their win and are looking to defend the title they won last year
Ireland
Hugo Keenan 6 – His place is under pressure for the first time, and responded with a patchy effort.
Mack Hansen 6 – Gashed a knee but returned to play a big role especially in defence, where he was relentless.
Garry Ringrose 7 – Low profile but Ireland’s entire defence hinges on him, and he delivered with customary cool.
Bundee Aki 8 – Sensational display, scoring a remarkable try but he was also brave and relentless on both sides of the ball.
Jame Lowe 7 – That left boot is vital to Ireland, but it was his hands that changed this game, with two try-scoring passes.
Sam Prendergast 7 – An action-packed Six Nations debut in which he survived some wobbles to show his class when it counted.
Jamison Gibson-Park 8 – He is Ireland’s main man, scoring a brilliant try of his own, inspiring others and controlling the entire performance.
Andrew Porter 7 – A nuisance in the tight and the loose, he is vital to Ireland – and he drove England mad all evening.
Bundee Aki put in a sensational display, scoring a remarkable try but also proving to be brave and relentless on the ball
Jamison Gibson-Park showed he is Ireland’s main man, scoring a brilliant try of his own
Ronan Kelleher 6 – Denied a try but performed the nuts and bolts well as Ireland’s line-out was solid under intense pressure.
Finlay Bealham 7 – Under pressure to perform with Tadhg Furlong out, and he was excellent until forced off with injury.
James Ryan 6 – This was a gruelling battle and England’s power left him reeling on occasion, but key to a smooth lineout.
Tadhg Beirne 7 – Impeded Itoje so Kelleher’s try was chalked off, but more than made up for it in scoring the decisive try.
Ryan Baird 7 – Excellent in attacking English lineout ball, he was also vital to the early defensive effort.
Josh van der Flier 7 – Had a glimpse of the try line but didn’t take his chance, but nobody worked harder in green.
Caelan Doris 7 – If this really was a show-down with Maro Itoje for the Lions captaincy, then Doris held his own.
Replacements
Dan Sheehan 6
Cian Healy 6
Thomas Clarkson 6
Iain Henderson 6
Jack Conan 7
Jack Crowley 6
If this was a showdown with Itoje for the Lions captaincy, then Caelan Doris held his own
England
Freddie Steward 6 – Reclaimed England’s kick-off with trademark aerial work. Stepped by Jamison Gibson-Park but otherwise a solid evening’s work.
Tommy Freeman 6.5 – Often second best when competing with James Lowe. Not much in attack until he scored with game’s final play.
Ollie Lawrence 7 – His hunger was obvious and he really put himself about, summed up by one massive hit on Garry Ringrose. Hugely physical both sides of the ball.
Henry Slade 7 – Showed his footballing ability with deft kicking assist for Cadan Murley’s try and it wasn’t his only nice touch. Harshly penalised for pushing Mack Hansen.
Cadan Murley 6.5 – Marked Test debut with dream try after finishing Slade’s kick through. Had previously been smashed by Hansen. Twice got his team in trouble in the dead ball area.
Marcus Smith 6 – Early run in space showed signs of promise. Yellow carded as England’s penalty count ramped up and couldn’t stop Bundee Aki though that’s far from easy.
Alex Mitchell 7 – Snappy service showed why he is one of England’s most important players and was badly missed last autumn. He did slip off James Lowe who put Gibson-Park away to score.
Ellis Genge 7.5 – Penalised for collapsing a scrum early in the second half. Looked more like his vicious old self as he prowled the Dublin pitch like a caged animal.
Ellis Genge looked more like his vicious old self and prowled the pitch like a caged animal
Itoje had a lot on his plate as captain and England’s line-out down jumper, but took everything in his stride
Luke Cowan-Dickie 5.5 – His Test career seemed over a year ago, but he was back with Jamie George injured. Ireland disrupted his first significant line-out throw. Replaced by Theo Dan.
Will Stuart 7 – Brief stint off the field but returned after passing head injury assessment. He’s a solid performer who had three separate stints.
Maro Itoje 7 – He had a lot on his plate, not only with captaining the team for the first time but also with England’s line-out down a jumper. He took it all in his stride.
George Martin 6.5 – One big hit on Josh van der Flier showed exactly what he is about and he is a nice foil for Itoje. Replaced by Leicester team-mate Ollie Chessum.
Tom Curry 8.5 – Alongside brother Ben as they became the first set of male twins to play for England. Not a usual line-out jumper, but fulfilled that role, was his usual menace on the ground, and scored consolation try.
Ben Curry 7.5 – He is far less experienced at the highest level than his sibling, but he was just as effective here as part of a lighter but more mobile back-row
Ben Earl 5 – Dropped restart after England’s early opener but one strong ruck clear-out showed his menace. Made way for Saracens team-mate Tom Willis.
Replacements
Joe Heyes 6
Theo Dan 5.5
Tom Willis 6
Chandler Cunningham-South 5.5
Ollie Chessum 5.5
Fin Smith 5.5
Harry Randall 5.5
Fin Baxter 5
