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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nick Purewal

England player ratings vs Wales: George Ford saves the day but Henry Arundell lacklustre

England came from behind to claim a morale-boosting win over Wales.

George Ford completed a late turnaround as Steve Borthwick’s side avoided an all-out crisis but the victory was tempered by a red card for captain Owen Farrell.

Nick Purewal was at Twickenham to rate the England players…

Freddie Steward - 5

Reckless yellow card so nearly cost England the match.

Henry Arundell - 5

Another lacklustre showing and one that will concern Borthwick.

Joe Marchant - 6

Absolutely no chance to shine behind a pack that could not generate any ball.

Ollie Lawrence - 6

One power carry aside, as with Marchant he did not have the platform to perform.

Elliot Daly - 7

Showed flashes of the absolute class that will have him a certain starter in France.

Owen Farrell - 5

His tackle technique will come under renewed scrutiny after a poor red card.

Farrell almost cost England with his red card (Getty Images)

Jack Van Poortvliet - 5

Struggled to impose himself and limped off with a worrying knee injury.

Joe Marler - 6

Scrummaged well early on but faded.

Jamie George - 7

Thew himself into everything and was pivotal to the late rally.

Will Stuart - 6

Set-piece slipped off again after a good first-half.

Maro Itoje - 6

Grabbed the try to turn the tide and kept in the fight.

Itoje helped turn the game around (PA)

George Martin - 6

Looked hampered by a knee issue but grafted hard.

Courtney Laws - 6

Still inching back to top fitness but threatened in patches.

Ben Earl - 7

Grew as the game went on despite the carnage around him.

Billy Vunipola - 6

A good first hit-out for the fit-again powerhouse.

REPLACEMENTS:

Ellis Genge (for Marler ’53) - 6

Sin-binned straight off the bench but recovered well and was aggressive and focused.

Dan Cole (for Stuart ’56) - 7

Helped England find some late ballast from nowhere.

George Ford (for Arundell, 56) - 8

Saved the day at the last when England lost Farrell. Showed England the direction they had so lacked.

Max Malins (for Lawrence, 71) - 6

Kept himself busy and did his best not to lose his cool.

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