England player ratings vs France: Freddie Steward the lone standout as Steve Borthwick’s side embarrassed

Plenty of low scores after Steve Borthwick’s stunned side are torn apart at Twickenham
Record-breaking loss: England were blown away by France on a sobering evening at Twickenham
REUTERS
Nick Purewal11 March 2023

England are reeling after suffering their heaviest-ever home defeat in a Six Nations mauling by France.

Les Bleus were rampant at Twickenham, running in seven tries to triumph by a whopping 43 points, 53-10, and inflicting a third-largest loss of all-time on the shell-shocked hosts.

It was an abysmal day for new head coach Steve Borthwick, the RFU and anyone associated with English rugby as their weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed, destroying any momentum that had been built up with consecutive wins as they face a daunting trip to Dublin to round off the tournament.

Nick Purewal was at Twickenham on Saturday to rate the England players in a desperate defeat.

Backs

Freddie Steward 6

A rare decent performance, undone by being blocked to a key ball but left with pride intact.

Max Malins 5

Struggled to get into the game despite several early involvements, unluckly not to score.

Henry Slade 5

Failed to make anything happen but had preciously little to work with.

Ollie Lawrence 4

Could not get on the front foot with England bested up front.

Anthony Watson 4

Quiet by his standards, battled hard but had precious few chances to make anything happen.

The bold decision to start Marcus Smith at fly-half did not pay off for Steve Borthwick
Getty Images

Marcus Smith 5

Did what he could with what he had, but what he had was not nearly good enough.

Jack van Poortvliet 4

Failed to take control at the base of the ruck in a messy performance.

Forwards

Ellis Genge 5

This man deserved so much more than this for his first outing as captain.

Jamie George 4

Struggled to get his game going in any area.

Kyle Sinckler 5

Solid in the scrum for the most part but England were battered in the loose.

Maro Itoje 4

Another quiet game by his lofty standards.

Maro Itoje endured another very quiet game in the England second row
AP

Ollie Chessum 4

Could not impose himself on the rampant French pack.

Lewis Ludlam 4

Completely outgunned at the breakdown.

Jack Willis 4

Failed to get a toe-hold on the game at the ruck.

Alex Dombrandt 4

Must have hated being moved to outside centre, but had struggled earlier in any case.

Replacements

Jack Walker (for Lawrence, 60’) 4

On too late to make anything happen.

Mako Vunipola (for Genge, 64’) 4

Tried to restore some pride but it all fell apart.

Dan Cole (for Sinckler, 64’) 4

Impossible for the subs as the match disintegrated.

David Ribbans (for Dombrandt, 74’) 4

Had no time to make any impact.

Ben Curry (for Willis, 53’) 5

Stole one fine turnover but could not force things afterwards.

Alex Mitchell (for Van Poortvliet, 45’) 5

Pushed the pace initially before England collapsed.

Owen Farrell (for Slade, 45’) 5

The regular captain is simply not a Test match 12.

Henry Arundell (for Malins, 58’) 5

Put himself about but could have done with some ball.

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