Man marking England series ratings
6 Elliot Daly
His first sustained run-out at full-back. Showed touches but without wholly convincing that this is his best position – a defensive howler costing England in the first Test.
7 Mike Brown
Shifted to left wing and has acquitted himself well despite reservations, scoring in the first two Tests to demonstrate his all-round value.
9 Jonny May
A real force for England, always looking for work, creating opportunities and scoring tries himself. Moving towards world class.
5 Henry Slade
Has struggled to grow into the role. Touch and distribution have helped in attack but has been exposed in defence.
7 Owen Farrell
Forever striving to make things happen, leading from the front as tour captain. Valiant and a reliable source of points with the boot.
6 George Ford
The fall-guy for the Cipriani selection, Ford played his usual creative part in the scoring of England’s seven tries on tour, but was just a touch under his most assured.
5 Kyle Sinckler
An opportunity to stake a claim at tighthead with Dan Cole at home. Sinckler made an impression around the field although was a bit erratic in his discipline.
6 Harry Williams
A dependable backup from the bench, the Exeter prop has shown that he is coming to terms with performing at this level.
7 Maro Itoje
The Saracens lock has rediscovered some of the form he had on the Lions tour, although he is still not featuring as prominently at the breakdown.
6 Joe Launchbury
Missed the first Test with a hamstring issue and has added much-needed substance since returning to the fold, as shown in the third Test.
4 Nick Isiekwe
Picked for the first Test at lock but substituted after just 36 minutes, not to feature again, a jolt to a young player’s confidence.
5 Brad Shields
A contentious fasttracking into the side saw the player quickly into action, making an industrious contribution without any fireworks. Missed the third Test through illness.
7 Danny Cipriani Had his one real opening in the third Test and took it with a moment of poise and cleverness when teeing up the try for Jonny May. More to come. Ben Youngs Has looked out of sorts, failing to clear the ball with the snap and energy of his opposite number, Faf de Klerk, and lacking normal presence. Mako Vunipola Not at his rumbustious best, although still one of England’s more prominent forwards on the move, returning home after the second Test. Joe Marler Started the third Test in Mako Vunipola’s absence, and came through strongly with a prodigious effort in Cape Town. Jamie George A big chance for the Saracen to shine with Dylan Hartley at home, and he did the basics well enough before upping his game in the third Test. Luke Cowan-dickie Pushing hard for a starting spot, the Exeter hooker showed some fine touches but made a bad mistake at the end of the first Test with a missed line-out throw. Chris Robshaw Dropped for the first time since 2012, he returned for the third Test and put in a trademark grafting performance. Mark Wilson The Newcastle back-row forward got an extended run in the third Test, playing with vigour and purpose to suggest he will be a contender. Billy Vunipola Did well to make the tour after lengthy spells of injury and was just making more of an impression in the second Test when injury disaster struck once again.
Nathan Hughes
Billy Vunipola’s absence opened the door for Hughes to make a statement but the Wasps No 8 was off the pace in the third Test. Tom Curry The kid who became a man, celebrating his 20th birthday on tour and putting in a coming-of-age performance in the third Test.