England rugby player ratings vs France: Six Nations defeat analysed as champions crumble
ENGLAND took on France in Paris knowing four tries and a win would be necessary to keep their Six Nations hopes alive.
Eddie Jones had named his team in the expectation of heavy weather and heavy running in Paris, but there was none of that as the rain abated well before kick off.
However, the Australian coach stuck by Ben Te'o, who replaced Jonathan Joseph, in an effort to counter the physicality of Mathieu Bastareaud.
But it was all in vain as England left Paris with nothing more than their tail between their legs after a second consecutive defeat.
England player ratings vs France
Anthony Watson - 4: Switched to his club position of full-back, his version of the last line of defence led to a penalty try and yellow card.
Jonny May - 6: Great support play to cross for England’s try but largely squeezed out of the game.
Ben Te’o - 6: Brought in to counter the physical threat of the Toulon Tank Mathieu Bastareaud, he took some big hits but saved England’s skin with a try-saving tackle on Maxime Machenaud.
Owen Farrell - 6: First start as captain and led from the front, especially in the desperate late salvage operation.
Elliot Daly - 5: Thrown straight in for his first game in almost three months, the Lions wing was brilliant and bungling in equal measure.
George Ford - 5: Sacrificed for final quarter as England desperately searched for firepower. Not his evening.
Danny Care - 6: Few holes for England’s sniping scrum-half to exploit in an inspired French defence.
Mako Vunipola - 6: Promoted to pack leader, he edged his scrum gig against Rabah Slimani.
Jamie George - 4: Held up well in setpiece on his first Six Nations start but uncharacteristic fumbles blotted his copybook.
Dan Cole - 6: Decent scrum yield but could not match the ferocity of the French in open play.
Joe Launchbury - 5: Solid shift but replaced early with England introducing James Haskell in tacit admission back row balance was wrong.
Maro Itoje - 5: Lineout go-to man but failed to punch his weight as a ball carrier. Taken out dangerously in second half ruck by Marco Tauleigne which could lead to a citing for the French No 8.
Courtney Lawes - 6: Strong performance around the field and in the lineout by the Northampton tough nut.
Chris Robshaw - 6: Pressed into extra ball-carrying duties, England’s workhorse worked his socks off but coughed up the crucial late breakdown penalty.
Nathan Hughes - 5: The injury-cursed Wasps No 8 faces another lay-off after lasting only 24 minutes before twisting his knee.
Replacements:
Luke Cowan-Dickie - 5
Joe Marler - 8
Kyle Sinckler - 6
James Haskell - 6
Sam Simmonds - 5
Richard Wigglesworth - 6
Jonathan Joseph - 6
Mike Brown - 6