England vs Ireland: Player-vs-player preview ratings

From Grand Slam hopefuls gunning for a historic third-successive title to trying to salvage anything from a disastrous campaign, England’s Six Nations will reach a dramatic conclusion this Saturday at Twickenham.

Meanwhile, Ireland head to London hoping to secure just their third ever Grand Slam, on St Patrick’s Day no less, trying to avoid the party-spoiling efforts of England, a role that was reversed this time a year ago.

Both sides have now been named for the highlight fixture of the final round and we have rated each player ahead of the contest.

15. Anthony Watson 7.5 vs Rob Kearney 7.5

Watson went well against France, dealing with the aerial balls and one-on-one defensive scenarios – the areas Mike Brown is considered to hold an advantage over him in – well, but couldn’t quite impose himself on the game as much as he would have liked. If it’s a conservative game at Twickenham, you’d still fancy the basics of Kearney to win out in this duel, but if it opens up at all, Watson holds the advantage.

14. Jonny May 7 vs Keith Earls 8

Earls may be the most underrated player in rugby, period. Of late, he seems unable to put a foot wrong on the rugby pitch. He may not have the same level of acceleration that May does, but the all-round game is certainly something which leans in his favour. If both teams deny the other space with their aggressive defences, expect Earls work rate to see him shade this one.

13. Jonathan Joseph 8 vs Garry Ringrose 7.5

Ringrose turned in a sparkling performance against Scotland and Joseph has been quiet in attack this year, but this could be the game he re-finds his verve. With Ben Te’o inside him, as well as other selections such as Kyle Sinckler and James Haskell, we should see Joseph on the front-foot much more on Saturday. If you can get him there, he’s deadly and he’ll be a stern test of Ringrose’s defensive decision-making.

12. Ben Te’o 7.5 vs Bundee Aki 7.5

Aki probably shades this contest in terms of form, but this will be Te’o’s first opportunity to start at 12 in the championship, a position he performed so well in for the British and Irish Lions in the summer. Both players will be tasked with getting their sides over the gain-line and there’s not a whole lot to separate them in that regard.

11. Elliot Daly 8 vs Jacob Stockdale 8

Daly has an array of skills that Stockdale would love to have, but the Irishman is in sublime form and everything he touches is currently turning to gold. Stockdale’s defensive reading of the game, something which is often criticised at Ulster, has been almost blemish-free with Ireland over the last two months.

10. Owen Farrell 8 vs Jonathan Sexton 8

This is a battle of two masters of the position. For Farrell, it’s an audition to return to the 10 jersey full-time, whilst for Sexton it is an opportunity to show that whilst he is advancing in years, he is still as good as anyone at the position. This contest will be dictated by the fortunes of the respective forward packs, as much as it will be by either player’s own skill.

9. Richard Wigglesworth 7 vs Conor Murray 8.5

Wigglesworth coming in for Care has been something that has brewing since Ben Youngs went down with injury and he should help deliver England more control and direction. As international nines go, though, Murray delivers as much as anyone in the northern hemisphere. Murray’s stock has stayed high as the competition has gone on, whilst England have realised how reliant they are on Ben Youngs.

1. Mako Vunipola 7.5 vs Cian Healy 7.5

Vunipola has looked fatigued this campaign ever since a thunderous performance against Italy and what might normally have been an advantage for the Englishman is much closer on current form. Healy has been in solid, if not spectacular form, and has done enough to keep recent Lion Jack McGrath on the bench.

2. Dylan Hartley 7 vs Rory Best 7

Perhaps not a match-up that will excite the casual fan, but it’s a fascinating battle in the set-piece, at the least. Hartley has been immaculate with his lineout throwing so far in the championship, whilst Best is as good a scrummaging hooker as you’re likely to find in the Six Nations. They may not be game-breakers, but they can be relied upon to fulfil their roles well.

3. Kyle Sinckler 7.5 vs Tadgh Furlong 8

It’s an opportunity for Sinckler to stake his claim to start, with the Harlequins prop looking fresh and impactful off the bench last week and certainly someone capable of improving England’s ability to break the gain-line. Stacking up your accomplishments against Furlong is an unenviable position to be in, however, with the Irishman setting the standard at the position, even if, like Vunipola and McGrath, he’s not quite at his absolute best following the Lions tour.

4. Maro Itoje 7.5 vs James Ryan 7

Ryan is the coming force in Irish rugby, with many people labelling him “Ireland’s Itoje” but it’s a learning process for the young lock. He’s had some impressive moments so far in this championship, as well as some significant mistakes. Itoje is looking a bit flat following the Lions tour and being tasked with a lot of the arduous duties in the tight, but he still edges this contest, a contest which should be box office for years to come.

5. George Kruis 7 vs Iain Henderson 7.5

It’s been a little while now since Kruis started for England and his form dipping has played a part in that, whilst Henderson has looked strong this year, especially as a ball-carrier. It’s probably the one area where Henderson outmatches Kruis, with both players very effective in defence and at the set-piece.

6. Chris Robshaw 7.5 vs Peter O’Mahony 8

England’s Mr Reliable going up against Ireland’s Mr Reliable. Both players will empty the tank at Twickenham and have the conditioning to turn in valuable 80-minute performances, but O’Mahony’s edge at clearing out defending players at the breakdown and securing quick ball for Ireland just gives him a narrow advantage.

7. James Haskell 7.5 vs Dan Leavy 7.5

Experience and carrying in the tight will favour Haskell, whilst defensive breakdown work will fall significantly in Leavy’s favour. Given England’s weaknesses at the breakdown in recent weeks, it’s an area Leavy will be hoping to have a lot of success on Saturday, whilst Haskell will be keen to lay down a marker and not only win back his England spot full-time, but also earn a new contract for next season in the Aviva Premiership.

8. Sam Simmonds 7 vs CJ Stander 7.5

A solid display against Italy was encouraging for Simmonds, but we still haven’t seen him step up and show that he can be an international No 8 long-term. With England bringing in extra ball-carriers, this could be the game where Simmonds gets the space to excel, but conversely, Ireland will be up in his face regularly with their line-speed. Stander isn’t in the domineering form he was last season, but he still brings a very well-rounded game to the position and can impact the match in multiple ways.

Totals

England – 111.5

Ireland – 115