Six Nations tournament ratings: Every England player from best to worst

Will Stuart of England breaks the tackle of Tomos Williams of Wales — Will Stuart was England’s top performer in the Six Nations - Getty Images/Dan Mullan

England’s Six Nations campaign ended on a high with a resounding victory over Wales to leave Steve Borthwick’s side with four wins from five.

A number of players have now put themselves in British and Irish Lions contention. Here is how every England player rated at this tournament from best to worst. You can vote for your top performer at the bottom.

Will Stuart

MVP! MVP! MVP! I will fully admit I was a Stuart atheist as of last year. Now I have seen the light of a double sidestep and a dominant scrummaging performance.
9/10

Tom Curry

No player has given more to the cause. Just a complete package as a back rower with his ferocity in contact and at the breakdown, but looks completely spent by the final whistle.
9/10

Tommy Freeman

The frustration with Freeman previously was that he never got as involved as he does for Northampton. In comes Fin Smith and now he cannot stop scoring.
8.5/10

Ben Curry

Only started England’s first and last games but was superb in every minute he was on the pitch. So quick to get over the ball and his link play was excellent.
8.5/10

Maro Itoje

Would the captaincy make him play less close to the edge? Absolutely not. Itoje remains England’s main momentum generator with his steals at the line-out and the breakdown.
8.5/10

Ben Earl

Saved his best till last against Wales which might just land him a spot on the Lions touring party. Not quite at the heights he was hitting 12 months ago, but always near the top of the tackle and carry chats.
8/10

Ellis Genge

The England scrum was rock solid throughout the championship and Genge has really stepped up over the past 12 months. Can be a bit suspect defensively.
8/10

Fin Smith

Four starts, four wins as England fly-half. Rarely has a 22-year-old taken to Test rugby so seamlessly. Will tick a lot of boxes that Andy Farrell looks for in a fly-half from toughness to coolness.
8/10

Jamie George

It is a credit to George that he took his demotion from England captain as a chance to prove he should still be England’s No 1 hooker. Line-out throwing was money.
7.5/10

Elliot Daly

After not featuring for the best part of 12 months, Daly played at full-back, outside centre and on the wing, underlying the importance of both his versatility and his experience.
7.5/10

Ollie Lawrence

Such a shame that he suffered his Achilles injury just as he looked like he was hitting real form. Remains central to England’s midfield plans.
7.5/10

Ollie Chessum

How long can you be underrated if everyone keeps calling you underrated? His work rate is off the charts and his dirty work allows others to shine.
7.5/10

Alex Mitchell

An uneven tournament but the good (Wales) outweighed the bad (Scotland). A strong argument that he is England’s most important player given lack of alternative.
7/10

Tom Roebuck

Nerves on his first start? What nerves? Scored an excellent try and looked to be a real weapon both in the air and with his powerful carrying.
7/10

Tom Willis

Just as he was coming into his own against Italy, he was replaced and then dropped for Wales. Go figure. His ballast provides a point of difference among the flightier back rows.
7/10

Fraser Dingwall

Being described as a ‘glue player’ can sound like a backhanded compliment but Dingwall’s selflessness elevates others. Invariably gives the pass before the key pass.
7/10

Henry Pollock

Now that’s what you call a debut. Two tries and some top-class s---housery. Even his captain describes him as a pest in the best possible way.
7/10

Marcus Smith

England’s most divisive player deserves his own rating category. Gone from starting fly-half to full-back to replacement and back to full-back. Remains their most dangerous attacking weapon.
6.5/10

George Ford

Gave a pertinent reminder of his enduring class with his replacement appearance against Wales, throwing a delicious pass to put Henry Pollock over.
6/10

George Martin

Showed up well in Dublin but then his body started to creak. Might be the best thing in the long-term to give him a summer off.
6/10

Fin Baxter

England scrum did not suffer any egregious dip when he replaced Genge. His tackle-per-minute ratio must be amongst the highest in the championship.
6/10

Luke Cowan-Dickie

Probably offers more as a ball-carrier and through his chop tackling, but line-out never feels as secure than when George is on the pitch.
6/10

Chandler Cunningham-South

The lack of specialist lock cover could easily have blown up in Borthwick’s face when Chessum went off injured against Wales. Cunningham-South ensured it did not.
6/10

Theo Dan

Came on against Ireland for only appearance of the tournament. Potentially a big opportunity for him this summer.
6/10

Joe Heyes

Low-key but one of the best performers off the bench against Wales. Again if Stuart receives a Lions summons, will be able to show what he can do as a starter.
6/10

Ted Hill

Unluckiest player of the campaign? Came back into the squad after a long exile against Scotland but only got a couple of minutes and then was on and off against Italy.
6/10

Cadan Murley

How much was his injury a turning point in the pivot away from Marcus Smith at fly-half? Scored a try on his debut against Ireland but also made a couple of glaring errors.
6/10

Ollie Sleightholme

Difficult to quibble with a tally of two tries in three games. However, there were lapses in defence and somehow does not look to fully back himself the way he does for Northampton.
6/10

Jack van Poortvliet

A couple of reasonable cameos off the bench in England’s final two games. Should regain the England No 9 shirt if Mitchell goes on the Lions tour.
6/10

Freddie Steward

Has fallen far down the full-back pecking order since a mixed outing against Ireland. Still his high-ball ability means he will always be a handy asset for Borthwick to call upon.
6/10

Henry Slade

Potentially England’s biggest loser from the campaign after being unceremoniously dropped following a run of 15 consecutive starts.
5/10

Harry Randall

Seems cruel that he comes on and is asked to box kick, which would not be his specialist subject on Mastermind.
5/10

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