15. Stuart Hogg – 7
Solid and workmanlike in defence, and won a great penalty over the tackle early on which set up field position for opening try. But has played better in attack. Maybe a bit rusty. Blew a clear scoring opportunity with a poor pass on the 60 minute mark after Kyle Steyn had broken up the right touch-line. Wasn’t happy with being subbed off with 15 minutes to go, but Blair Kinghorn brought some fresh impetus.
[Freddie Steward 6]
14. Kyle Steyn – 7
The game did not run his way, but showed willing and dangerous whenever it did, and was comfortable defensively.
[Max Malins 8]
13. Huw Jones – 8
Hit a great line in the lead up to his own superb try, and was sharp in anticipating Tupulotu’s chip through. Missed Marchant badly early on, but otherwise kept the outside door firmly shut.
[Joe Merchant 7]
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 8
Excellent. A constant threat. Always attacking the ball. Tremendous vision chipping through for Huw Jones’ try. Bumped by Freddie Steward early doors, but otherwise, rock solid.
[Owen Farrell 7]
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 9
He showed breath-taking power and pace and a bit of footwork too to take advantage of some flaky English defence to score two very special tries – one from 55 yards out brushing aside five English defenders in the process. Strong under the high ball, but was pulled narrow for both of Max Malins’ tries.
[Ollie Hassell-Collins 6]
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10. Finn Russell – 9
Careless start, maybe trying to force the game too early – but once he found his feet he played brilliantly, spreading the ball fast and wide, finding huge spaces outside the front line of the English defence. Kicked the goals he needed to kick – and his restarts were spot on.
[Marcus Smith 7]
9. Ben White – 8
Slick hands, giving Russell the ball how he wanted it, and blew a hole in England’s peripheral defence to score the crucial third try. Box-kicks were not always quite on the money.
[Jack van Poortvliet 7]
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7
A hard day at the office but he kept the scrum intact for an hour without being able to match Ellis Genge in the loose.
[Ellis Genge 8]
2. George Turner – 9
Great darts, particularly the throw to the tail that led to Huw Jones’ try. Scrummed hard – carried strongly – and landed some big hits.
[Jamie George 7]
3. WP Nel – 7
The key man in Zander Fagerson’s absence. Under huge scrum pressure, but did not buckle, though his body did give up on him after an hour.
[Kyle Sinckler 7]
4. Richie Gray – 8
More than held his own at the line-out – must have been putting his weight through the scrum – put himself about in the loose – and was a vital link in van der Merwe’s winning try.
[Maro Itoje 7]
5. Grant Gilchrist – 7
Another big shift from a real warrior. Nothing to choose between him and the highly-rated Itoje.
[Ollie Chessum 7]
6. Jamie Ritchie – 8
Led by example – conscientious and committed – beavering away below the radar. Dropped a ball badly to let England back in after half time – but more than made up for it with his steal in the last play of the game.
[Lewis Ludlum 7]
7. Luke Crosbie – 8
A Six Nations debut to remember. Competitive and very combative at the break-down, sticking his body on the line fearlessly. Never took a backward step.
[Ben Curry 7] 4
8. Matt Fagerson – 8
Busy and aggressive about the park, making an astonishing 27 tackles, kept the scrum ball reasonably tidy, and played his bit in the winning try.
[Alex Drombrandt 5]
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Replacements
16. Fraser Brown – 6
Came on for George Turner on the hour mark and was immediately faced with a difficult throw on his own line, but he cracked it, and had a role in the winning try.
17. Jamie Bhatti – 5
A tough ask coming on at loose-head for the last quarter of an hour, but he got through it.
18. Simon Berghan – 5
Last 20 minutes were hard going but he hung in there. Gave away a couple of needless penalties.
19. Jonny Gray – 5
Looked eager when he came on for Grant Gilchrist in 65th minute.
20. Jack Dempsey – 5
Blew hot and cold after replacing Luke Crosby around the hour mark with a couple of good carries, a great tackle … and a spilled pass.
21. George Horne – 6
Added zip during the final ten minutes after coming on for Ben White.
22. Blair Kinghorn – 6
Stepped up to the plate when he came on for Stuart Hogg in 65th minute.
23. Chris Harris – N/A
Got four minutes at the end.