{"id":290171,"date":"2023-09-09T23:34:32","date_gmt":"2023-09-09T23:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/?p=290171"},"modified":"2023-09-09T23:34:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T23:34:32","slug":"england-player-ratings-george-ford-steals-the-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/rugby-union\/england-player-ratings-george-ford-steals-the-show\/","title":{"rendered":"ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS: George Ford steals the show"},"content":{"rendered":"
England began their World Cup campaign with a 27-10 win over Argentina thanks to a barnstorming kicking performance from George Ford.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Argentina gave away penalty after penalty and Ford gladly lapped up the opportunities, converting six of those and kicking three drop goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This wasn’t a perfect performance from England but it was solid enough and the likes of Jamie George, Courtney Lawes, and Ellis Genge all submitted strong accounts of themselves.<\/p>\n
Tom Curry’s return from injury ended in a swift dismissal – and blood on the face and shirt of his adversary Juan Cruz Mallia, with whom he had a head clash.<\/p>\n
Here are Mail Sport’s player ratings from a whirlwind night at the Stade Velodrome, courtesy of Adam Hathaway.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
George Ford’s outstanding kicking performance provided all 27 of England’s points and he was rightfully awarded Player of the Match<\/p>\n
Freddie Steward – 6<\/span><\/p>\n Torrid time against Fiji a fortnight ago but back in the game here when England were on the back foot.<\/p>\n Jonny May – 6<\/span><\/p>\n Comeback from the dead in World Cup terms but did not get many chances to show his paces.<\/p>\n Joe Marchant – 6<\/span><\/p>\n Good defensively but we didn\u2019t see the outside break he used so much at Harlequins.\u00a0<\/p>\n Manu Tuilagi – 6<\/span><\/p>\n One big carry in the first half but England will need from him in attack later in the tournament.<\/p>\n Elliot Daly – 6<\/span><\/p>\n Poor pass butchered a first half chance for Jonny May but kept his head in defence.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alex Mitchell was thrust into the limelight and did his best to inject tempo into the game<\/p>\n George Ford – 9<\/span><\/p>\n Rediscovered the art of the drop goal, with England under cosh. Great rugby brain and got his side ticking.\u00a0<\/p>\n Alex Mitchell – 7<\/p>\n From fourth-choice to first choice and did his best to inject tempo in a stop-start game.<\/p>\n Ellis Genge – 7<\/span><\/p>\n Had a crack at the Puma front rowers and it was honours even on his side of the scrum.<\/p>\n Jamie George – 8<\/span><\/p>\n England\u2019s go-to set-piece man and heart of the team. Dependable and Steve Borthwick will be praying he stays fit.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Steve Bothwick will be praying Jamie George stays fit after a dependable performance\u00a0<\/p>\n Dan Cole – 6<\/span><\/p>\n Old King Cole keeps rolling on. First serious start since 2019 and did his stuff for the old brigade.<\/p>\n Maro Itoje – 6<\/span><\/p>\n He is getting there. Not the force he was in 2019 but the arms and legs are back. On the up.<\/p>\n Ollie Chessum – 6<\/span><\/p>\n Put in a big shift considering he has barely played for six months after a horror ankle injury.<\/p>\n Courtney Lawes (captain) – 7<\/span><\/p>\n Got England together after Curry\u2019s sending off, one big turnover set the tone, Real leader.<\/p>\n Tom Curry – 3<\/span><\/p>\n Off since June after ankle trouble and harshly sent off after three minutes here.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ben Earl – 7\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lively off the back of the scrum but needs to put the grubber kicks back in the locker.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tom Curry only had a few minutes on the field and was harshly sent off after a collision with Juan Cruz Mallia\u00a0<\/p>\n Replacements: Theo Dan (for George 72.5), Joe Marler (for Genge 54,5), Will Stuart (for Cole 50, 5), George Martin (for Chessum 59,5), Lewis Ludlam (for Lawes 65, 5) , Danny Care (for Mitchell 59,5), Marcus Smith (for Ford 78, 4), Ollie Lawrence (for Tuilagi 69,5)<\/p>\n Mallia 4; Boffelli 5, Cinti 5, Chocobares 4, M.Carreras 3; S.Carreras 4, Bertranou 5; Gallo 4, Montoya 6 (capt),Kodela 5, Lavanini 4, Alemanno 5, Matera 6, Kremer 5, Gonzalez 6<\/p>\n Replacements: Creevy 5 (for Montoya 69), Sclavi 5 (for Kodela 50), Bello 4 (for Gallo 62,4), Petti (for Alemanno 41,4) Rubiolo (for Lavanini 50, 4), Bruni 4 (for Gonzalez 59), Velez 4 (for Betranou 69), Moroni 4(for M.Carreras 63, 4)<\/p>\n Scorers:<\/p>\n England: Pens: Ford (6); Drops: Ford (3)<\/p>\n Argentina: Try: Bruni; Con: Boffelli; Pen: Boffelli<\/p>\n Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FRA)<\/p>\nArgentina<\/h2>\n