England Series ratings By Gavin Mairs
9
Freddie Steward
The 20-year-old belied his years, looking so comfortable on the Test stage as a rock under the high ball but also as a powerful attacking force. England’s outstanding player of the autumn.
8 8 Courtney Tom Lawes Curry
An inspirational series for the forward, whose leading-from-the–front captaincy style against Tonga and South Africa were critical to England’s wins. Could yet be handed the job for the World Cup.
The Sale player is evolving into one of the world’s finest loose forwards. A big step up from a quiet Lions tour and such is his adaptability that the switch to No 8 no longer looks like an experiment.
8
Henry Slade
The spotlight may have been on Smith but Slade, often at first-receiver, delivered his finest display yet for England during Saturday’s victory over South Africa, delivering sumptuous distribution.
7
Maro Itoje
Following a disappointing Six Nations campaign, the Saracens man looks to be returning to his best form after a strong tour of South Africa with the Lions, but there is still even more to come.
8
Marcus Smith
The 22-year-old Harlequins fly-half is truly a fantastic talent who has surely shown enough class and, importantly, the bottle to convince Eddie Jones to build his World Cup plans around him.
7
Bevan Rodd
The autumn proved to be a coming-of-age experience for the 21-year-old, who showed his mettle in going toe-to-toe with the Springboks, dismissing fears that he could be overwhelmed.
8
Ben Youngs
The veteran showed the new generation of scrum-halves that he is not prepared to give up the No 9 shirt just yet. Sharp and incisive, and his experience was a great foil for Smith.
7
Jamie George
A level of redemption after initially being left out of the squad. He scored twice in the opening win over Tonga and impressed in the first half against Australia before a knee injury ruled him out.
8
Manu Tuilagi
A formidable return to the side after getting himself into the best shape of his career, spoilt only by the hamstring injury he sustained scoring the opening try in the victory over the Springboks.
7
Kyle Sinckler
The Bristol tighthead is developing into a formidable presence. Scrummaged strongly and relished the physical confrontation, but at times lacked discipline against South Africa.
7
Jonny May
Scored two tries in the opening win of the autumn against Tonga and played every minute of the three victories, but had a couple of nervous moments after being targeted by the powerful South Africans.
7
Sam Underhill
His return to the England side may have been understated, given the spotlight on the young guns, but he made a big impact in addressing the breakdown problems of last season’s Six Nations.
7 Max Malins
Such a gifted and versatile footballer and stepped up to the mark when Tuilagi was forced off through injury so early against South Africa, with a wonderful break that set up Steward’s try.
7
Jamie Blamire
An autumn to remember for the rookie Newcastle hooker. Mobile and combative, his try sealed victory over Australia and he stood up to the huge challenge of the Springbok front row with aplomb.
7 6 6
Ellis Alex Genge Dombrandt
A hugely frustrating campaign for one of the members of England’s new leadership group, missing the last two games because of a positive Covid test after starting against Tonga.
An impressive contribution from the bench in all three games and underscored his potential as powerhouse option at No8. He is on same attacking page as Marcus Smith, his Harlequins club-mate.
6
Nic Dolly
The Leicester hooker will have learnt more in the final 20 minutes against South Africa than in his previous 22 years. Another exciting front-row prospect to give Eddie Jones more options.
6
Sam Simmonds
Restored as a member of England’s own version of “the bomb squad” to bring pace and carrying power off the bench alongside Alex Dombrandt, but not given enough time to make significant impact.
5
Joe Marler
Harlequins prop had to be content with a place on the bench behind Ellis Genge before he was ruled out of the Australia match with Covid-19. Held his own as a replacement against the Springboks.
5 5
Will Charlie Stuart Ewels
With a total of just 37 minutes off the bench in the three games, the Bath prop had little time to make an impact but looks to have cemented his place behind Kyle Sinckler in the pecking order.
A bit-part role from the bench but the physical presence of the Bath lock in the final quarter was at the heart of England’s resistance against the Springboks when it mattered.
5 Trevor Davison
Just nine minutes off the bench against Australia for the Newcastle prop when Ellis Genge and Joe Marler were isolating, but the 29-year-old relished every minute and could yet make an impact.