England player ratings: England won the maximum number of points Nations Championship with a 45-22 victory Australia at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
It was a sure start to the autumn for England, who never looked bright but also never looked troubled in the first half.
The score at the break, 19-10 for the hosts, was much closer than it should have been. Not only did England have a try thrown away, but an Australian interception on the final play of the half was the only time they looked vaguely close to scoring.
But Steve Borthwick’s side dominated after the break, barely allowing Australia into their own half, and they piled on the points.
A great start to the autumn for England with their highest ever points against Australia. Here’s how the players rated it:
15 George Furbank – 8.5
He pulled on an England shirt again for the first time since November 2024 after a horrific run of injuries and played the type of game Borthwick clearly wanted from his full-back. He shared the playmaking duties with his ex Northampton Friend from Saints, Fin Smith, and more recently his new one Harlequins mate, Marcus Smith, bringing valuable intuition. He delivered the miss for England’s second try with ease, showing his worth in the wider channels. It was his half-break and pass to Henry Slade that created England’s try shortly after the break as his influence began to grow. Put in Henry Pollock for his second try to finish off a better handling from the back of England.
14 Tommy Freeman – 8
He had a thoroughly competitive aerial battle with Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, as expected, where the Aussie probably just came out on top. He could have tried late in the first half, but failed to land Fin Smith’s grubber. He got the assist after the break with a perfect wide inside pass for Jack van Poortvliet to score and join the line nicely for England’s sixth try. How good can a winger look without a goal.
13 Henry Slade – 9
Picked at No.13 ahead of the in-form Will Joseph as Borthwick likely looks to create some continuity in midfield. But with the 24-year-old breathing down his neck, the veteran had to show what he brings to the party, which he did. Linked up with Finn Smith and Furbank for England’s second try in exactly the way England’s coaches would have liked, delivering a pinpoint high pass. Linked up with Furbank again for Freeman to get down the right for England’s fourth try after the break. More slick handling on the line set up England’s sixth try, connecting with Finn Smith. The save attempt in the closing minutes on Max Jorgensen was the proverbial cherry on top.
12 Seb Atkinson – 7
England’s number 12 shirt has long been up for grabs with precious little time for anyone to secure it ahead of the World Cup, and this was another steady display without being relegated. He moved the ball close to contact, got his hands on it and held off Sua’ali’i early to force a run, but he doesn’t provide that punch up the middle that England have sometimes needed. He left the field injured after an hour.
11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso –
No hamstring injury – hopefully – and he put his hamstrings to good use just 90 seconds into the match, charging through a hole to score under the posts only for the try to be disallowed. He continued to pop up everywhere and was especially dangerous in and around the holes. He made a break down the right which resulted in England’s second try. With his amount of passing there have been some handling errors, but it’s a very simple equation – the more Feyi-Waboso touches the ball, the better England look. As nice as that sounds, England may be too reliant on him to allow him to carry. By half-time alone, the 23-year-old had beaten eight defenders, while no other player had beaten more than one. He went to rest and England missed that shot. He was man of the match before he left.
10 Finn Smith – 9
He showed no signs of the calf injury that forced him into a late fitness test. England’s first try may have come via a spot kick, but it was Finn Smith’s pinpoint penalty touch that gave them the platform to launch from five metres. Distributed very flat to the line when needed, but was perhaps most dangerous when hovering behind Slade and Atkinson and working as a second receiver. It seemed really in tune with Slade and Furbank and England produced some nice attacking play as a result. Although he was pinged for offside to give Australia the first three points of the match, the defensive contribution of the fly-half is such an underrated part of his game and an area that really stands out compared to his competition.
9 Jack van Poortvliet – 7
Billed as Alex Mitchell’s understudy at the Brits and Irish Lions Number 9 was released for November, and made a strong case to keep the shirt forward. Probed and threatened around the breakdown, shot accurately and brought more pace than usual when bringing the holders into play. That was equally his weakness late in the first half, he slipped in a cross for Jorgensen to score from the keeper to keep Australia in the game. He made amends – somewhat – after half-time, backing up a Freeman break to score England’s fourth try. His threat around the rim increased in the second 40.
1 Finn Baxter – 7
He made his first outing for England in 2026 after a foot injury and made a steady comeback, with nine tackles in an hour. The scrum worked well and he got the ball in his hands a few times, but he will be looking to raise his level as November continues.
2 Jamie George – 7
On the back of the goal for England’s first try in the first 10 minutes. He left the field shortly before the hour mark with the second highest number of tackles, 12, but with several to his name. Lineout was running at 90 percent, which was solid enough.
3 Joe Heyes – 8.5
A tremendous defensive display, not just in his tally of tries – 10 on the hour – but the way he often crossed the line to score them, bringing the Wallabies back. He had no problem with the run either, getting the better of Angus Bell after 17 minutes after some solid fighting, although to his dismay he was penalized in the following tackle. He headed England’s goal over the line for England’s first try after breaking away, but was the scorer himself later in the half, peeling away to catch the Wallabies unawares.
4 Maro Itoje – 8.5
He was back from his summer break and at his menacing best. After several attacking attempts, he had Ryan Lonergan’s number on the 12-minute mark, heading home a shot from inside the box, although it came to nothing. He topped the tackle count with 17 tackles, four of which were dominant, and forced numerous fumbles. He can be forgiven for spilling at the end, which gave the Wallabies a try.
5 Alex Coles – 7
He wore the number 5 on his back, but curiously packed on his side for scrums. Another solid performance with no real standout. He had a far better defensive performance and pressured Lonergan, but didn’t get a huge amount of the ball.
6 Ollie Chessum – 8
He often occupied the left flank, and made several strong tackles in that part of the pitch, crashing over for England’s second try from that position. He often has a few standout moments in every match and along with his try, his line steal in his 22 after 50 minutes was a damaging blow for the visitors. Hosted the show in the England schedule.
7 Ben Curry – 7
He returned to England after a series of troublesome hamstring injuries but was the cause of England’s first try being disallowed for a forward pass. It was still the kind of distribution that was lacking at times earlier this year, though he didn’t struggle much later. He stifled Australia’s first foray deep into England’s half after 20 minutes with a turnover penalty and continued to threaten through the ball.
8 Ben Earl – 7.5
Muted by Earl’s usual standards. He had plenty of ball in his hands, but not much return on his carries. That had to change after the breakup with Feyi-Waboso, and there was an improvement. Finished with a whopping 22 carries, but with only three defenders beaten and an average of three yards per carry.
Substitutions
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie – 6
Those 20 minutes off the bench, but the line worked smoothly.
17 Ellis Genge – 6
He provided a smooth contribution off the bench, but still chipped in with a defensive effort.
18 Will Stuart – 6
Another player returned after a long time and eased his way back. Pinged on one fight for a pre-engagement violation
19 George Martin – 7
He returned to Twickenham after what seems like an eternity, and showed England fans what they’ve been missing out on with plenty of grunts with his noses.
20 Greg Fisilau – 6
Came on for his England debut in a nice position but didn’t do much with the ball. He got back six tackles in 25 minutes, which helped maintain England’s defensive intensity.
21 Henry Pollock – 8.5
He was stationed on the wing as England warmed up, which hinted something was brewing, and it proved to be the case, with the 21-year-old coming on at half-time on the wing for Feyi-Waboso. His first delivery was full of venom and he fielded well and England scored a phase later. He had to go on the record, didn’t he? He waited patiently on the wing for Fin Smith to pass him, even though he had to pick the ball up off the ground. He had his second a few minutes later, this time racing down the right flank from 30 yards. He really looked like he was enjoying playing on the wing.
22 Ben Spencer – 7
Only six minutes were given at the end of the match, but the interception attempt was still successful.
23 Marcus Smith – 6
He came in for the injured Atkinson and played as a dual fly-half. He may have been guilty of being overzealous at times with England on top, and there were some mistakes, but this was an awkward situation for him to join the action.