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16th July 2022
01:18pm BST
"If you think about a team's progression to the final destination - what is, ultimately, winning a World Cup - England are not there. You look at Ireland and they are firing on all cylinders. "If you're an Irish supporter, enjoy today, but just hope that they can maintain that title of number one for another year, and still get better."France may be the Grand Slam champions, and South Africa the reigning world champions, but Ireland, once again, have a target on their backs.
Jack Nowell - 6
Did well to sprint over and make a big tackle but could not prevent the opening Aussie try.
Guy Porter - 5
Missed three first half tackles and made little impact in attack.
Owen Farrell - 6
Kicked out on the full, at the start. Landed a couple of penalties but had some misses off the tee. Had a strong start to the second half, as England built a lead. Unable to stop Folau Fainga'a crashing over.
Tommy Freeman - 7
The one English back that made big metres in the first half. Could, and should, have scored in the corner before the Steward try. Made two clean breaks.
Marcus Smith - 8
Out of nowhere, he pounced on a poor lineout throw from the Aussies and was over for a super try. Almost cost his side a try by jumping early and not connecting. Lured in for Wright's try.
Danny Care - 5
Had an early kick charged down. Missed a couple of tackles. Subbed off by Eddie Jones, just 37 minutes in.
Ellis Genge - 8
Skittled two Wallbies with one brute of a carry. A series of big carries and scrummed well. Pinged for a high tackle, early in the second half. Won his side a great penalty, in front of the posts.
Jamie George - 7
Solid in the set-pieces, made two strong caries and sunk all his tackles.
Will Stuart - 7
A steady tour for the tighthead. Made a couple of hard, second half carries.
Ollie Chessum - 6
Positive impact limited to set-pieces and a few decent clear-outs. Two decent carries in the second half.
Jonny Hill - 9
Got up well to disrupt the Wallabies lineout and force and error, for the Smith try. Big on the restarts. Gave away a penalty and missed a couple of tackles. Did frustrate the Aussies at the breakdown, quite often. Helped win his side a turnover for holding up a maul. Grew as the game went on.
Courtney Lawes - 9
Such an important player to this side. Had the sleeves rolled up from the get-go. Won a big turnover in the final 10 minutes. Teamed up with Cowan-Dickie to help win another, on 76 minutes.
Lewis Ludlam - 7
Tackled with intent in the first 40. Started the second half by giving away a silly penalty. Only made two carries as he focused on breakdowns and tackles.
Billy Vunipola - 7.5
The only England forward to consistently deliver front-foot ball in the first half. Did have the ball nicked from him at a rolling maul.
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