ENGLAND:
Best: Ben Earl
Telegraph: “Relishing his role of being England’s main man. Brought some serious big-boy energy off the back of a seven-man scrum for his try.”
Evening Standard: “Bulldozed in for a fine try in another all-action performance in which he set England’s physical and emotional tone.”
Rugby Dump: “Quality carries throughout and cleaned up lose balls like they were grenades. Typical powerful running for his first try and was a standout player in both halves. Proving once again to be one of England’s best players.”
Worst: Joe Marler
Rugby Dump 5/10: “Hauled off in the 50th minute after struggling to impose his mountable size over the young welsh pack.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “The scrum was not really a factor while he was on the field thanks to some smart (possibly underhand) tactics from the Welsh.”
RUCK 6/10: “Given a talking to by the ref at 14 minutes, as he and the Wales tight-head jostled at multiple scrum re-sets. Gave away a scrum penalty for not pushing straight at 15, but regathered his composure as the scrum battle progressed.”
WALES:
Best: Tommy Reffell
Wales Online: “Jac Morgan has a fight on his hands if he wants to reclaim the red number seven jersey because Reffell has arguably been Wales’ best player over the first two rounds of the championship. The Leicester Tigers openside is one of the best exponents of the breakdown in the Northern Hemisphere as he pinched three turnovers. Has also added a new dimension to his game as he popped up in the wide channels and played a key role in Alex Mann’s try. A class act.”
Telegraph: “Wales’ most-important player by a mile. Fine work at the breakdown early doors and cute offload in the build up to Mann’s try. Wales need to keep him fit.”
Planet Rugby: ” Another strong all-round performance from the Leicester Tigers star as he made a menace of himself at the breakdowns and his direct duel with Sam Underhill was one of the highlights of the game. Reffell also did his bit as a ball carrier and led the Welsh onslaught on defence as he finished with a match high 14 tackles made.”
Worst: Mason Grady
Rugby Pass 0/10: “It might seem harsh to put too much emphasis on his 70th minute yellow card – for a deliberate knock-on in his own 22 as English backs formed on his outside – but that was his most significant contribution. The result was England taking the lead for the first time. If that’s not a score of 0 then one doesn’t exist.”
Wales Online 3/10: “His yellow card for a deliberate knock-on meant Wales played the final 10 minutes with 14 men.”