PLAYER RATINGS: Jones' side suffer embarrassment against Barbarians

PLAYER RATINGS: Eddie Jones’ side suffer complete embarrassment after Will Collier has a game to forget against 14-man Barbarians… as Sam Underhill and Charlie Ewels fail to deliver on the eve of Australia tour

  • England suffered 52-21 defeat to Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday evening 
  • Barbarians, despite being down a man, left hosts stunned with more tries 
  • Jones’ team didn’t have any Leicester or Saracens players after Premiership final 
  • Disappointing loss for Jones’ team ahead of their three-Test tour of Australia

England and head coach Eddie Jones suffered complete embarrassment on the eve of their tour of Australia as they were hammered 52-21 by a 14-man Barbarians outfit.

The Barbarians lost giant lock Will Skelton to a red card in the first half, but Jones’ men couldn’t make the most of the extra man in what was an awful display. Coached by France boss Fabien Galthie, the Barbarians were fully deserving winners as they scored eight tries to England’s three.

Sportsmail’s Alex Bywater was at Twickenham to cast his eye over England’s players on what was an afternoon to forget for Jones… 

Jones’ side missed the chance to impress their head coach before their Test tour of Australia

Scorers

England

Tries: Cokanasiga 36, May 51, Smith 60

Pens: Smith 17, 34

Barbarians

Tries: Penalty 18, Ollivon 24, Penaud 38, 55, Couilloud 46, Carbonel 67, Spring 74, Hastoy 79

Cons: Hastoy 25, 68, Kruis 47, 75, 80

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Attendance: 51,385

Star man: George Kruis (Barbarians)

 

ENGLAND

Tommy Freeman – 6.5

Claimed two early high balls to boost his confidence. Solid debut and executed his basic skills well in England’s first try by running a great line and drawing the last man.

Joe Cokanasiga – 6

One brilliant break showed what he can do but he chose the wrong option with the pass. Penalised for a tackle in the air but did finish for first-half try.

Joe Marchant – 4.5

One fleeting moment with ball in hand but he never got the chance to have a run. Will still likely be England’s outside centre in Australia. Replaced by Jack Nowell who stepped into an unusual midfield position.

Mark Atkinson – 4

One forward pass and then followed that with another wayward effort which was intercepted by Damian Penaud for a third Barbarians try.

Jonny May – 6

Sin binned on his England return for a deliberate knock on which led to a Barbarians penalty try. Made amends in the second half by finishing in the corner but was outplayed by the excellent Penaud.

Marcus Smith – 6.5

Had his right thigh strapped in worrying fashion but his passing was a joy to watch. Put in a brilliant tackle on Vrimi Vakatawa. Superb work for counterattack which led to Cokanasiga’s try and grabbed a score of his own but he kicked erratically.

Joe Cokanasiga was one of England’s few bright sparks – scoring a try during the first-half

Harry Randall – 3.5

Had his pass intercepted by Charles Ollivon and couldn’t get back to stop the Barbarians captain scoring. Would have been disappointed with his time on the field. Replaced early in the second half by veteran Danny Care whose first England appearance since 2018 was cheered loudly.

Bevan Rodd – 5.5

Penalised for hinging at the first scrum and had serious set-piece troubles as he was continually lectured by the referee. Did do well to last the distance.

Jack Walker – 6

One first-half line-out in a prime attacking position went awry. Did charge down a kick. Went well on the whole on a shock start before giving way for Jack Singleton.

Harry Randall (left) gave away a try after having his pass intercepted by Charles Ollivon

Will Collier – 3

Part of an England scrum which struggled early on. Brutally replaced twice by Jones but had to come back on the first time after his replacement Patrick Shickerling was hit high by Skelton and had to go off for a head injury assessment. Australian lock Skelton became the first Barbarian in history to be sent off.

Charlie Ewels – 5

Couldn’t help England gain control up front even against 14 men. Worked hard but found it tough going against former England lock George Kruis. Kruis was outstanding in his last game and even kicked three conversions.

Jonny Hill – 6

Back in an England shirt after missing the Six Nations. One gallop into space after a Smith pass and a good source of line-out possession. Will only get better from this after returning from a leg injury and will surely be on the plane to Australia.

Tom Curry (capt) – 5

The captain was smashed by Skelton and saw his team struggle to get any semblance of control despite his powerful carries. This was a poor result on his watch.

England’s Will Collier was brutally replaced twice by coach Eddie Jones throughout the game

Sam Underhill – 5

Back alongside his ‘Kamikaze Kid’ partner Curry but couldn’t help England knit possession together as they struggled to retain the ball. Replaced by Courtney Lawes.

Callum Chick – 6

An 11th hour replacement after Alex Dombrandt suffered a knee injury in training on Friday and looked for work consistently. Replaced by Jack Willis.

Replacements: Patrick Shickerling 5 (for Collier 27) (Collier 35), Danny Care 5 (for Randall 45), Jack Willis 6 (for Chick 45), Courtney Lawes 5 (for Underhill 53), Jack Singleton 5 (for Walker 55), Jack Nowell 5 (for Marchant 56), Will Goodrick-Clarke 5 (for Collier 63), Orlando Bailey 5 (for Cokanasiga 66)

Sam Underhill couldn’t help England keep possession as they struggled to retain the ball




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