England 21 Ireland 10: England player ratings

Mike Brown - 4

Making contact with Conor Murray’s face wasn’t malicious but it was reckless. Several errors and one penalty conceded outweigh the try he scored.

Anthony Watson - 6

Another of England’s try scorers, he might have brought the conversion a little closer to the posts. Excellent in the air, but a fitful contribution after a bright start.

Jonathan Joseph - 6

His elite tennis background is very evident in his footwork. He attracts defenders and makes space for others. Nothing stellar but his quality is obvious.

Owen Farrell - 5

Determined to make a physical impact, he got side-tracked early on and never really got into the rhythm of the game; he did tag on 11 points with the placed ball.

Jack Nowell - 7

A brilliant cover tackle on Robbie Henshaw saved a certain try and having lined out on the right wing from the start, he was dangerous with a modest amount of possession.

George Ford - 5

He didn’t have to make a single tackle in the opening 40 minutes. Drifted in and out of the game, he needs to be a little bit more authoritative in managing the game.

Ben Youngs - 7

A sharp, lively presence, he had one gorgeous box-kick and made a superb slaloming break for one of England’s tries.

Joe Marler - 5

He was responsible for two of the penalties that England conceded and there's an argument to say that his replacement Mako Vunipola adds a little more to the team.

Dylan Hartley - 6

He was a constant vocal presence in the ear of referee Romain Poite and got some traction there. Lineout was largely excellent; he put in one great hit on Andrew Trimble but did give away two penalties.

Dan Cole - 6

Got away with a very late, gratuitous hit on Devin Toner after the whistle had gone. He gave away a penalty but there’s no doubting his work-rate or effectiveness.

Maro Itoje - 7

If his development continues apace he is going to be an outstanding player. Strong in carrying, one fine turnover (slightly illegal), but a fine performance and led the tackle count.

George Kruis - 7

He started quietly but soon become a huge presence in the match by virtue of his work-rate and ability in the lineout.

Chris Robshaw - 6

He gave a scoring pass for Watson’s try and made 14 tackles, which saw him finish on the positive side of the ledger in terms of his contribution.

James Haskell - 6

His swinging arm assault on Conor Murray might engage the citing commissioner. Muscular in defence, he relished the collisions.

Billy Vunipola - 9

A brilliant performance, he carried 18 times for 96 metres and it often required multiple tacklers to halt his progress in a barnstorming display.

Bench - 7

Debutant Elliott Daly made a try-saving tackle on Josh van der Flier according to the TMO, while his fellow replacements, almost to a man added energy, an important asset in the end game as Ireland chased.

Coach - 7

Leaving aside his verbal peccadilloes – and that requires cutting him substantial leeway – Eddie Jones prepared an England team that prevailed for the third time in in as many matches, alighting on a game plan and personnel that got the job done.