{"id":296745,"date":"2023-10-22T10:40:11","date_gmt":"2023-10-22T10:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=296745"},"modified":"2023-10-22T10:40:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-22T10:40:11","slug":"england-ratings-owen-farrell-outperformed-as-duo-get-9s-in-south-africa-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-league\/england-ratings-owen-farrell-outperformed-as-duo-get-9s-in-south-africa-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"England ratings: Owen Farrell outperformed as duo get 9s in South Africa loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rugby World Cup: Semi-final previews<\/h3>\n

England were once again agonisingly beaten by South Africa at the World Cup, this time at the semi-final stage four years on from their final defeat in Japan. Steve Borthwick’s men looked set for a place in the showpiece event but the Springboks had other ideas.<\/p>\n

Handre Pollard’s late kick ensured South Africa ran out 16-15 winners and kept their hopes of winning a second consecutive World Cup alive as they take on New Zealand in a mammoth final next weekend.<\/p>\n

Below, Express Sport runs the rule over England’s players during the sickening defeat at the Stade de France.<\/p>\n

PLAYER RATINGS<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Freddie Steward – 8\u200c:\u00a0<\/em>Brilliant display under high ball in the conditions until he finally spilled one late on. Fully justified his recall.<\/p>\n

\u200cJonny May – 7:\u00a0<\/em>Energetic stint in kick-chase role. Put the heat on Cheslin Kolbe. And contributed to England\u2019s breakdown game too.<\/p>\n

Joe Marchant – 6<\/em>: Quiet ball-handling night but did all that was asked of him in Paris where he will soon be playing his rugby club for Stade Francais.<\/p>\n

Manu Tuilagi – 7:<\/em> Rock-like in the England midfield defensively and made a few important metres as a carrier on the few opportunities he had.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Elliot Daly – 8:<\/em> Crumpled Duane Vermeulen with one huge hit and impressive in the air chasing England\u2019s high-ball barrage.<\/p>\n

Owen Farrell – 8<\/em>: Kicking masterclass from England\u2019s captain with superb second half drop goal the highlight. Only blot was conceding the ten metres that led to South Africa\u2019s first points.<\/p>\n

Alex Mitchell – 8<\/em>: A coming-of-age night for Northampton\u2019s scrum-half. Little chance to show his sniping skills but kicking game right on point.<\/p>\n

\u200cJoe Marler – 8:<\/em> Repaid faith given him to start with strong scrummaging show in what was on only his third start in three years.<\/p>\n

Jamie George – 7<\/em>: Gave everything asked to go the full 80 minutes again. Generally on the money on tricky lineout throwing night but one late missed dart will haunt him.<\/p>\n

Dan Cole – 8<\/em>: Banished all memories of 2019 final hell with great shift. When he went off the scrum balance – and the whole game – changed decisively.\u200c<\/p>\n

Maro Itoje – 8<\/em>: Early lineout steal set the tone for a big performance from the second row which eclipsed that of rival Eben Etzebeth.<\/p>\n

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