England player ratings: England kept themselves in the hunt for a Super Saturday push for the Guinness Six Nations title with a 47-24 victory over Italy on Sunday.
Steve Borthwick’s side came away with seven tries, and played the type of rugby many fans have been crying out for the past three rounds.
They travel to Cardiff next weekend knowing a similar display will leave them in with a chance of winning the Championship, and with plenty of players in form.
Here’s how the players rated:
Match Summary 
15. Elliot Daly – 8
Forced into a positional switch early on following Ollie Lawrence’s injury, and made a case for playing in the centres more often. Such an asset for England to have with a 6-2 split. Oozed class with most touches and put his left boot to good use for England’s second try.
14. Tommy Freeman – 8
Was able to gallop down the left wing frequently with ball in hand and is able to keep the ball alive. Makes very few errors and is supremely well-rounded.
13. Ollie Lawrence – N/A
Started the game well but didn’t last 10 minutes before leaving the field injured.
12. Fraser Dingwall – 8
Found himself stepping in at first receiver a lot and mixed his game up, offering a carrying threat as well as bringing forwards into play. Wore a couple of big shots but kept coming. The type of accomplished performance he would have wanted in his return to the Test scene after a year out.
11. Ollie Sleightholme – 8.5
The Northampton wing was tested under the high ball but handled the early barrage. Learnt the lessons from his early substitution against Scotland and forced his way into the game, where he was rewarded with two tries.
10. Fin Smith – 9
Growing increasingly comfortable in Test rugby and looks more accomplished with every game. Exhibited a side of his (or any fly-half’s) game that gets overlooked, which is his backfield coverage. Helped England out of a number of holes with a big boot and plenty of composure in the first half. Whether from the tee or from hand, this was a kicking clinic (save for the last kick of the match).
9. Alex Mitchell – 8
Looked far more comfortable this week as he played with more tempo and a game suited to Mitchell’s style. A game sprinkled with some flashes of real class, including his flick in the build-up to Sleightholme’s second try.
1. Ellis Genge – 7
Trucked the ball up through the middle, and while he didn’t get a huge return on his carries, England always play better when Genge is carrying dynamically.
2. Jamie George – 8
On his 100th cap, the former England captain offered some deft touches, linking with the backs, which included a world-class offload in contact for Ollie Sleightholme’s second try. Targeted by Ange Capuozzo for Italy’s second try as part of England’s kick chase.
3. Will Stuart – 8.5
Continued his fine Championship. Solidity in the scrum is a given now from the Bath man (albeit there weren’t many), but his defence is fundamental to England’s dominance up front. Flies out the line adeptly for a man of his size and never goes backwards. The British and Irish Lions No.3 is within touching distance now. Capped a great game off with a Tadhg Furlong-esque sidestep, to show is all-court skills.
4. Maro Itoje – 7
Despite the scoreline, this was not just wave after wave of attack from England, and they had to roll their sleeves up in defence. The captain spearheaded England’s robust defensive effort. Not necessarily Itoje’s type of game in the second half, but he won’t mind one bit.
5. Ollie Chessum – 9
Had the reading of the Italian lineout. That did not manifest into an abundance of steals, but he exerted constant pressure on their throw and makes England’s set-piece run smoothly. Loped around the field in attack and popped up on the wing.
6. Tom Curry – 8.5
After a quiet first half by the flanker’s high-energy standards, he came alive in second 40. Two classy interventions in a matter of minutes helped England pull away- first helping win a penalty in his own 22, then offloading minutes later to put Marcus Smith in for a try. A few minutes later he won another penalty from a kick chase and scored from England’s subsequent attack. Picked up an injury in the second-half during what was a statement second-half in a Lions year.
7. Ben Earl – 8.5
Filled the role in the midfield that was left vacant with Lawrence’s injury and was carrying in slightly wider channels than usual. Regardless of where he receives the ball he makes an impact. Even finished the game playing in midfield, which is an experiment many England fans would like to see. Got a try late on to seal a sensational display.
8. Tom Willis – 7
Ran very smart lines and was able to pick off a ragged defence, particularly for England’s opener. Every No.8 wants front-foot ball, but the Saracen looked particularly destructive. Left the field shortly after half-time as England’s top tackler (8), but would have enjoyed a looser game in the second stanza.
Six Nations
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
4
3
1
0
16
2
4
3
1
0
15
3
4
3
1
0
14
4
4
2
2
0
11
5
4
1
3
0
4
6
4
0
4
0
3
Replacements
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7
A solid cameo and did not put a foot wrong.
17. Fin Baxter – 7
Showed some real strength to withhold Manuel Zuliani when the flanker looked to power over the line.
18. Joe Heyes – 7
Powered through Italy’s scrum late on to win a penalty and send a statement of what he is capable of.
19. Ted Hill – N/A
Given longer in the second-half than he was given against Scotland, but not long enough to show what he can do.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South – 7
Threw his weight around with some perfectly-timed kick chases.
21. Ben Curry – 9
Came on with England in the ascendency and the game becoming very loose, which was different from the situations he has found himself in so far this Championship. Had some deft touches with his hands and feet and brought yet more energy for England to twist the knife. His impact from the bench has been immense this Championship. A steal and assist for Earl crowned a brilliant cameo.
22. Jack van Poortvliet – 7
Was not a game where the scrum-half needed to take hold of, his job was to keep things going as they were, which he did.
23. Marcus Smith – 8
Effectively played the entire match at full-back and faced an aerial bombardment. That is a reality he must accept while he transitions into the No.15 shirt. Received the ball in the wider channels this week, and showed how handy he can be there with his long pass for Sleightholme’s try. Appears to be revelling in having the freedom to join the line where he wants, and his second-half try showed that.
