England won 32-15 against Australia in a hard-fought encounter on Saturday.
Freddie Steward was among the impressive performers for England, while some of the Australia players on show, such as Izack Rodda, weren’t particularly impressive.
Sportsmail provides the player ratings from both teams for the clash at Twickenham.
Freddie Steward was England’s standout performer as they prevailed against Australia
ENGLAND
By Will Kelleher
15 Freddie Steward – 7.5
Safe hands at the back – so tall at 6ft 5in he’s practically fields kicks from the clouds – and scored his first try after a laser-like line off Smith’s left shoulder.
14 Manu Tuilagi – 6
Attacked at inside and outside centre, despite wing berth, before moving in when Farrell went. Last time he wore 14 was in Dunedin in 2014 – but this repeated experiment did not go too far south.
13 Henry Slade – 6
Some moments sloppier than his faded-mullet haircut, but kicked well to touch off his canon-like left foot. England’s best midfield is still likely to feature the classy Exeter centre.
Henry Slade had a mixed performance but is still likely to be part of England’s best midfield
12 Owen Farrell – 6 (Malins, 67, 6)
Reluctantly hobbled off unable to support his weight having kicked five penalties but missed one. Early flow with Smith but then dipped off like his team.
11 Jonny May – 5
One of his quietest England evenings, with only four touches out on the left wing – needs to fire against the Springboks when chances are thin on the ground next weekend.
10 Marcus Smith – 7
A start straight from the Strictly ballroom, but not taking the Glitterball just yet. Hair flicked as much as his quick passes, but Australia unsettled him at times. Made more tackles (12) than anyone on either side. Clearly the future.
9 Ben Youngs – 6 (Quirke, 71, 6)
Started with fizzing flat passes, ended fumbling at messy rucks before Quirke came on near the end to add some spark. Eddie Jones’ favourite took his 12th win in 15 against the Wallabies.
1 Bevan Rodd – 6 (Davison, 71, 6)
More tape round him than Mr Bump by half-time, and hands like Mr Tickle at one point to set Smith away. Scrum not so solid, but a decent debut for the Dunoon man.
2 – Jamie George – 6.5 (Blamire, 41, 7)
Facial expressions a delight as he bundled around like a kid running after the ice-cream van – one great break, and should have scored off a maul but denied incredibly by Nic White.
3 – Kyle Sinckler – 5 (Stuart, 71, 6)
Side-eye glances at the tight-side touch-judge as scrums went against him ‘The Daddy’ could have spat his dummy at some calls, but stayed firm. Still yet to produce all-court form from 2019.
Kyle Sinckler remained calm under pressure but he is still yet to rediscover his best form
4 Maro Itoje – 6.5
‘Locked’ hair flopped and bounced as he brought much-needed energy in lacklustre periods. The self-proclaimed ‘Pearl’ lacked some of the usual gloss and sheen on his 50th cap.
5 Jonny Hill – 6 (Ewels, 73, 5)
One trundling carry threshing away like a combine harvester caught the eye, as did his flapping arms to distract kickers, but some lineouts were sloppy. England have never truly replaced George Kruis.
6 Courtney Lawes – 7 (Simmonds, 75, 7)
Soft handling from the Hackney-born hammer was a delight to send George and Underhill away in the first-half. Grafted away at blind-side, but no fireworks show this time.
7 Sam Underhill – 6.5 (Dombrandt, 48-58 and 64, 6)
Looking more like a grinning gargoyle with every hit, he carried well in the first half with Curry before taking time out for an HIA as Dombrandt made unsupported inroads.
8 Tom Curry – 7
Jones wants him to mould himself on All Black Ardie Savea – Curry was tenacious and won turnovers to spook the Aussies, but it was not the super-star showing from the World Cup quarter-final of 2019.
Tom Curry was tenacious in his approach but he couldn’t produce a super-star showing
AUSTRALIA
By Adam Hathaway
15. Kurtley Beale – 5
Veteran back was stepped by Freddie Steward and could not get his famed attacking game going.
14. Andrew Kellaway – 5
Eight tries in his first 11 Tests but hardly got a sniff here. Did his share of covering at the back though when needed.
Andrew Kellaway covered at the back but wasn’t able to make a major impact going forward
13. Len Ikitau – 6
Brumbies centre put himself about in defence and left some dents in England without breaking line.
12. Hunter Paisami – 6
Couple of big hits including one notable effort on Marcus Smith and a brilliant second half break.
11. Tom Wright – 4 (Perese 67, 5)
Yellow carded for dangerous high tackle on Jamie George in first half and could have seen red.
10. James O’Connor – 7 (Lolesio 74, 5)
Five out of five off the tee kept the Wallabies in the game before 75th minute substitution. Lively.
9. Nic White – 8 (McDermott 73, 5)
Former Exeter man denied George a try with a goal line snaffle and was one of the few Aussie live wires on parade.
Nic White produced an encouraging performance even though he ended up on the losing side
1. Angus Bell – 4 (Robertson 73, 5)
Waratahs’ prop was carded for dangerous tackle on Courtney Lawes in second half and was up and down in scrum.
2. Folau Fainga’a – 5 (Latu 65, 6)
Got his tackles in for a front rower but Aussies lost a couple of line outs and hookers always cop for that.
3. James Slipper – 5 (Hoskins 68, 6)
First Test start at tight-head since 2014 and centurion started badly at set piece before finding his feet and growing.
4. Rory Arnold – 5 (Skelton 63, 5)
Tallest Wallaby ever at 6ft 10ins and proved a reliable option at the line out but not seen greatly with ball.
5. Izack Rodda – 4
Another sky scraper but not as effective in the line out as the Aussies needed him to be and not a big carrier here.
Izack Rodda wasn’t as effective as hoped in the line out and he also wasn’t a big carrier
6. Rob Leota – 6
Melbourne Rebels back row was one of the tourists’ biggest carrying threats and added punch with ball in hands.
7. Michael Hooper (capt) – 6 (Samu 55, 5)
118 caps and counting for the Aussie skipper and a breakdown threat again before 55th minute injury.
8. Rob Valetini – 7
Taken ownership of the gold No.8 shirt but fought a losing battle despite tackling and carrying hard.