As the dust settles on the 2026 Six Nations, it's time to dissect the performances of Steve Borthwick's England squad. With varying degrees of success and a few standout surprises, here are the player ratings from a tournament filled with highs and lows.
**In the backline,** Freddie Steward had moments of brilliance against Wales and Scotland but was noticeably absent against Ireland, leading to questions about his place in the squad. Meanwhile, Elliot Daly filled in competently but without spectacular flair. Marcus Smith, despite limited starts, brought a dynamic edge to the games he featured in, hinting at a potential starting resurgence. Henry Arundell dazzled initially but a red card against Scotland dampened his impact, while newcomer Cadan Murley quickly adapted, showing promise for future selections.
**Moving to the centres,** Tommy Freeman shone in his new midfield role, offering a consistent attacking threat. Seb Atkinson, however, struggled to maintain consistency, overshadowed by his counterparts. Fraser Dingwall, once a pivotal figure, found this tournament challenging, with diminished influence on the field.
**In the half-backs,** George Ford started strong but saw his role diminish as Fin Smith took over, delivering a compelling performance against France that may solidify his place. Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer both had moments that highlighted their potential, with Spencer particularly effective in the playmaking role during the Paris game.
"I'm just trying to do my job and help the team as much as I can,"
Spencer noted, reflecting a workmanlike approach to his elevated role during the tournament.
**The forwards had mixed fortunes.** Ben Earl stood out despite England's struggles, showing why he is crucial to England's plans. The back-row trio, including Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, battled hard but couldn't replicate previous successes due to injury setbacks and form dips.
**Among the locks and front row,** Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes emerged as key components, with Heyes, in particular, proving his worth as an indispensable part of the squad.
"Every game is a chance to prove that I should be one of the first names on the team sheet,"
Heyes stated, a testament to his standout performances that have solidified his status within the team.
Despite some players advancing their claims for continued selection, the overall team performance left Borthwick with areas to address. The campaign had its bright spots, but consistency remains elusive as England looks to rebuild and refocus ahead of future challenges.
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As the dust settles on the 2026 Six Nations, it's time to dissect the performances of Steve Borthwick's England squad. With varying degrees of success and a few standout surprises, here are the player ratings from a tournament filled with highs and lows.
**In the backline,** Freddie Steward had moments of brilliance against Wales and Scotland but was noticeably absent against Ireland, leading to questions about his place in the squad. Meanwhile, Elliot Daly filled in competently but without spectacular flair. Marcus Smith, despite limited starts, brought a dynamic edge to the games he featured in, hinting at a potential starting resurgence. Henry Arundell dazzled initially but a red card against Scotland dampened his impact, while newcomer Cadan Murley quickly adapted, showing promise for future selections.
**Moving to the centres,** Tommy Freeman shone in his new midfield role, offering a consistent attacking threat. Seb Atkinson, however, struggled to maintain consistency, overshadowed by his counterparts. Fraser Dingwall, once a pivotal figure, found this tournament challenging, with diminished influence on the field.
**In the half-backs,** George Ford started strong but saw his role diminish as Fin Smith took over, delivering a compelling performance against France that may solidify his place. Alex Mitchell and Ben Spencer both had moments that highlighted their potential, with Spencer particularly effective in the playmaking role during the Paris game.
"I'm just trying to do my job and help the team as much as I can,"
Spencer noted, reflecting a workmanlike approach to his elevated role during the tournament.**The forwards had mixed fortunes.** Ben Earl stood out despite England's struggles, showing why he is crucial to England's plans. The back-row trio, including Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, battled hard but couldn't replicate previous successes due to injury setbacks and form dips.
**Among the locks and front row,** Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes emerged as key components, with Heyes, in particular, proving his worth as an indispensable part of the squad.
"Every game is a chance to prove that I should be one of the first names on the team sheet,"
Heyes stated, a testament to his standout performances that have solidified his status within the team.Despite some players advancing their claims for continued selection, the overall team performance left Borthwick with areas to address. The campaign had its bright spots, but consistency remains elusive as England looks to rebuild and refocus ahead of future challenges.