England player ratings in series whitewash of Australia

26 June 2016 12:23

Forwards

DAN COLE: Superb tour for a player who is being nurtured carefully by head coach Eddie Jones. Scrummaged well and a force in the tight. Mark: 8 (out of 10)

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE: Played eight minutes of the first Test and then failed to make the bench for the second two games. 6

JACK CLIFFORD: Lost out to Teimana Harrison when James Haskell was injured for the climax to the series and notably slipped off a tackle when he did come on. 6

ELLIS GENGE: A surprise inclusion in the touring party, the 21-year-old Bristolian prop is admired by Jones and is a player for the future. 5

JAMIE GEORGE: Made only final-quarter cameos in the second and third Tests, but his influence on both games was key. 8

TEIMANA HARRISON: An uncertain future awaits after he was picked ahead of Clifford in Sydney only to be replaced after 30 minutes. 5

DYLAN HARTLEY: The hysteria greeting his appointment as captain now seems absurd because he has proved to be an outstanding choice. 9

JAMES HASKELL: The totem for English physicality under Jones. Fierce, relentless and disciplined, he grows in stature with every match. Player of the series. 9

PAUL HILL: Northampton prop was a bit-part player who has a supporting role at tighthead. Another front row with a strong future. 6

MARO ITOJE: It is hard to imagine that Jones questioned only in February if he is tough enough for Test rugby. A player of frightening potential. 9

GEORGE KRUIS: While his fellow forwards attract more headlines, the unsung hero of England's pack goes about his work with unfailing commitment. 8

JOE LAUNCHBURY: Unable to dislodge the all-Saracens pairing of Itoje and Kruis, but a support act of the highest calibre. 7

COURTNEY LAWES: Another who has slipped down the second row pecking order, but his shifts in Melbourne and Sydney proved his worth as a replacement. 8

MATT MULLAN: Operates in a position of substantial depth, but the loosehead prop can hold his head up high. 6

CHRIS ROBSHAW: The second Test will be a cherished memory for Robshaw - 50th cap, man of the match and a series victory over Australia all rolled into one game. 9

KYLE SINCKLER: Alongside Genge, one of Jones' two "bowling balls". Did not play but will be in the mix farther down the road. 5

BILLY VUNIPOLA: Reasonable series until the final Test saw him explode back into the bulldozing form that scattered defenders throughout the RBS 6 Nations. 8

MAKO VUNIPOLA: The prop is used to his younger brother Billy taking centre stage, but this tour was all about Mako. 9

Backs

MIKE BROWN: Has earned a summer of rest after a mammoth season in which his trademark ferocity remained ever-present. 7

LUTHER BURRELL: Potentially a tour that could mark the end of his international career after being replaced 28 minutes into the first Test due to defensive failings. 4

DANNY CARE: The Harlequin is second in England's scrum-half pecking order but is ready to pounce if Ben Youngs fails to deliver. 6

ELLIOT DALY: Finished the series playing number eight in Sydney - a development no one except Jones could ever have predicted. 7

OWEN FARRELL: Jones talks about world class players and Farrell must surely be close to that status, not least for his astonishing accuracy from the kicking tee. 9

GEORGE FORD: The sight of Ford attacking the line and looking to release runners in Sydney bodes well for the future. 8

ALEX GOODE: The Aviva Premiership player of the season has been the best full-back in England, but Jones refuses to look beyond Mike Brown. 5

JONATHAN JOSEPH: Rarely seen as an attacking force, but Joseph is becoming an accomplished defender capable of driving opponents backwards. 7

JACK NOWELL: This tour confirmed everything we already knew about Nowell - fearless, nuggety, skilful and very effective. 8

HENRY SLADE: Never came into contention and it is hard to see how he fits into Jones' backline. 5

BEN TE'O: Headed Down Under amid expectation that he would be involved during the series, but instead was on a watching brief. 5

ANTHONY WATSON: Off colour for the first Test due to a virus, but his chip ahead for Brown's score in Sydney was perfectly weighted. 7

MARLAND YARDE: Talked up by Jones before the tour but dropped after the first Test. Promises much, but has yet to deliver. 6

BEN YOUNGS: Potentially England's scrum-half all the way through until Japan 2019, Youngs has enjoyed a superb series. 8

Source: PA