Luke McLaughlin at Allianz Stadium 

England 47-24 Italy: Six Nations player ratings from Twickenham

Ollie Sleightholme and and Fin Smith shone for the hosts while Ross Vintcent stood out for the Azzurri
  
  

Fin Smith in action against Italy
Fin Smith moved the ball fluently against Italy. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

England

Elliot Daly Fully justified selection with evasive running and perceptive kicking. An assured presence in the back field. 8/10

Tommy Freeman Sloppy pass to start but effective overall and took try well. Made his power count. 7

Ollie Lawrence A silky offload during England’s first attack, but day cut short by an achilles injury. N/A

Fraser Dingwall Exceptional work for third try in repelling defender’s challenge and shipping ball on. A key cog. 8

Ollie Sleightholme Solid under high balls, took tries brilliantly, constantly alert to the movement of teammates. Exceptional. 9

Fin Smith Managed the attack expertly, moved the ball fluently, flawless kicking from the tee. World class. 9

Alex Mitchell Played his part in allowing Fin Smith to control tempo. Wonderful offload before sixth try. 7

Ellis Genge Destructive in the loose as per usual. Effective on both sides of the ball. 7

Jamie George Missed key tackle on Capuozzo try, but easily forgiven. Dynamic as ever on richly deserved milestone occasion. 7

Will Stuart Dangerous in the loose, one particularly damaging run early in second half. Scrummaged well. 7

Maro Itoje Soft hands, occasionally, to go with trademark physicality and breakdown presence. Growing into the captain’s role. 9

Ollie Chessum Exceptional work rate all around the field and, from Italy’s perspective, a nuisance at the lineout. Player of the match. 9

Tom Curry Maintained rich vein of form. Good support line for first try, smashed into contact for England’s fifth. 9

Ben Earl Fleet-footed. Linked with his teammates superbly and capped the day with England’s seventh try. Highly dependable. 8

Tom Willis Excellent muscular finish, running straight through Italy’s captain Michele Lamaro, to get England off the mark. 7

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie (for George 54) 6; Fin Baxter (Genge 60) 7; Joe Heyes (Stuart 60) 7; Ted Hill (Dingwall 74) 9; Chandler Cunningham-South (Earl 51) 8; Ben Curry (Willis 45) 9; Jack van Poortvliet (Mitchell 64) 7; Marcus Smith (Lawrence 9) Seized his unexpected chance, linked up perfectly in attack, took try brilliantly and defended intelligently. 9

Italy

Ange Capuozzo 8, Monty Ioane 7, Juan Ignacio Brex 8, Tommaso Menoncello 8, Matt Gallagher 7; Paolo Garbisi 7, Stephen Varney 7; Danilo Fischetti 6, Giacomo Nicotera 8, Marco Riccioni 7, Niccolò Cannone 7, Federico Ruzza 7, Sebastian Negri 8, Michele Lamaro 6, Ross Vintcent 9. Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi 7, Mirco Spagnolo 8, Simone Ferrari 7, Riccardo Favretto 6, Manuel Zuliani 7, Lorenzo Cannone 6, Martin Page-Relo 7, Tommaso Allan 7.

 

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