Rating every England player from the 2025 Six Nations: ‘Merciless’ prop stars shine while Smith plays himself into Lions contention
From left to right: Will Stuart, Ellis Genge and Fin Smith
Following the conclusion of the 2025 Six Nations, we rate every player’s performance from across the Championship, here’s how we rated Steve Borthwick’s England stars.
Outside backs
Freddie Steward: You do start to feel sorry for Freddie Steward, who just consistently seems to be moved out of the England side to fit in another fullback. He made his one and only appearance of the Championship in their opening defeat to Ireland, and despite giving a good account of himself was later displaced by Marcus Smith and Elliot Daly respectively. Not his fault, but you do feel a tad sorry for him. 6
Marcus Smith: A very tough one to describe, in all honesty. On the one hand, he was absolutely magnificent, once again shining as England’s best-attacking option and leading the way for both metres and points for his side, but you can’t ignore how he has been shifted out of the spotlight for Fin Smith at fly-half. He does seem to be finding his feet at fullback and is having the same sort of flashes that we’ve come to expect from him, but he would have wanted to remain as the number one number 10. 6
Elliot Daly: Has found himself on the edges of Borthwick’s side since the World Cup, but he came back with a bang this Six Nations. He made some very impressive cameos off the bench against France and Scotland respectively – notably scoring the decisive try against Les Bleus, and later went on to make a big impact in the starting XV against Italy and Wales. Daly’s versatility was also vital, as it allowed Borthwick to test out new combinations across his backline. Should look back on his campaign fondly. 7
Cadan Murley: Quins ace Cadan Murley was finally given his long-awaited debut in their opener against Ireland, but a foot injury ruled him out for the remainder of the Championship. He got off to a flying start with a try after just eight minutes and later grabbed an assist for his efforts, but that was also marred with a couple of defensive errors that helped Ireland get back on the front-foot. The injury also meant he couldn’t instantly amend for it either, but you’d expect he will be in Borthwick’s squad in the summer. 5
Ollie Sleightholme: Came into the campaign a touch undercooked following a shoulder injury, but improved as the games went on. The two Tests against France and Scotland were clearly just ones he needed to get through to get minutes back into his legs, but he gave a very good account of himself against Italy with two tries. Was dropped for the final Test against Wales, however, and later picked up an ankle knock, but overall was a fairly solid campaign. 6
Tom Roebuck: Yet again showed he’s a natural at Test level with a dazzling performance against Wales, and will likely get a lot more starts off the back of it. He just embraced the occasion of his first start in the cauldron of the Principality, which made him a real weapon in England’s attack that day and he grabbed a nice score for his efforts. 7
Tommy Freeman: England’s only nominee for Player of the Championship, Tommy Freeman had a brilliant campaign. After a sticky autumn, he seemed a completely refreshed player on both sides of the ball and was clearly playing with confidence. As he previously told Planet Rugby the new defensive system probably suited him better than the blitz and then in attack, he was given the freedom to come off his wing and look for work, which is where he thrives. Despite picking up an injury, he also impressed when deployed at centre. His five tries in five outings also speak for itself. 8
Centres
Ollie Lawrence: A real shame to see his campaign end the way it did, because he was utterly mesmeric at times. The Bath centre has had a tough time of it at Test level to date, largely down to him being put at 12, but his shift to 13 unleashed his full potential. Lawrence was able to consistently drag England up the pitch in attack, but crucially it was coming in those slightly wider channels where he can exploit his pace and power rather than through heavy traffic, and like Freeman seemed a lot more settled in the new defensive system. His performances also got him right in the mix for that Lions Test team too, however, a horrific Achilles injury brought his Championship to a grinding halt. 8
Henry Slade: A tough go of it for the usually classy Slade, who now finds himself outside of Borthwick’s 23-man squad. His partnership with Lawrence was under intense scrutiny ahead of the Championship, and to be fair it did seem to be improving slightly, but ultimately the trigger was pulled and Slade was axed from the squad with Fraser Dingwall taking his place. 5
Fraser Dingwall: Borthwick made a big call bringing Fraser Dingwall in mid-Championship, but the Northampton Saints ace repaid the faith with two very strong performances. His synergy with the likes of Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman was always going to get the best out of him, but that in turn got England playing some great rugby. Dingwall’s desire to interlink with those around him was a big part of the attacking overhaul at the back end of the campaign. 7
Half-backs
Alex Mitchell: He almost acted as a metaphor for England’s campaign. His performances at the start seemed to reflect England’s attacking approach, clunky and kick-first, but when he was given the freedom to play his usual game in the latter rounds he was really influential and showed just why he has made that number nine shirt his own. 6
Harry Randall: Not the best Six Nations for Harry Randall, unfortunately. The Bristol Bears nine is such an attacking threat when given the freedom, but it seems he was brought into play a completely different style, and it just didn’t work. 4
Jack van Poortvliet: Came back into the mix late into the Championship, and was steady enough off the bench. He still can’t quite replicate his Leicester form in an England shirt but didn’t do anything wrong when deployed from the bench. 6
Fin Smith: Pressure, what pressure? Pressure is for tyres. Fin Smith had a lot of pressure on him coming into the starting XV, but he simply excelled in this role. The Northampton Saints ace not only showed he can get England over the line in clutch situations, nailing two winning kicks against France and Scotland, but he also got them playing the sort of style Borthwick is after. He looked to play wide and fast, but yet also maintained a sense of composure and calmness. It looks like this shirt is his moving forward, and he might have even played his way into the British and Irish Lions touring squad. 8
George Ford: He was only afforded a very brief cameo off the bench against Wales, but he was simply sensational when afforded the chance to play. In his stint, he nabbed two assists and also took the attack up another gear. This performance was probably a metaphor for his England career, often ignored but always brilliant. 6
Back-row
Tom Willis: Borthwick described him as hungry ahead of the Six Nations, and that’s the perfect way to describe his performances this Championship. Willis’ desire to carry really came to the fore as he made himself their primary workman in this department, which in turn allowed the rest of his back-row to go to town in other aspects of the game. Crucially, he seemed to improve as the tournament went on, and looks to have cemented himself in the 23. 7
Ben Earl: With Willis taking a lot of the load in the tight, Earl was able to have those sensational flourishes he’s capable of and looked back to his very best as a result. Whether it was at 7, 8 or even 12, the Saracens ace was electric ball-in-hand and consistently found himself charging through space – which is where he shines. He also found himself right at the heart of England’s breakdown transformation. Looked very Lions-y. 9
Tom Curry: He’s already shown himself as the ultimate Test-match beast, but he was on a different level this Six Nations. Again, with Willis taking a lot of the load up front, Curry could just have his explosive touches whenever he touched the ball in attack, but it was his defence that caught the eye. Curry just seemed to be in every breakdown, either winning a turnover or making life hell for the opposition scrum-half, and he backed that up with some fine tackling too. 8
England with MORE players than France in official Six Nations Team of the Championship
Ben Curry: One word to describe Ben Curry this Six Nations would be relentless – he was just absolutely relentless in every aspect of his game. Be that carrying, defence or in the breakdown, he was just brilliant throughout the Championship and proved exactly why he should be in this England side for a long time. 9
Chandler Cunningham-South: Again, a tale of two Championships for the imposing back-rower. He started off with an over-eager performance against Ireland and was an unused substitute in the win over France, but he seemed to get his mojo back against Scotland and Italy and was later unstoppable in the win over Wales. His form might have dipped for Quins this season, but his performances in the latter stages of the Six Nations prove why Borthwick wants him around his England squad. 7
Henry Pollock: What an introduction to the Test stage for young Henry Pollock, who actually began the Championships with the U20s. Already regarded as a future England captain, the generational talent took to the Six Nations like a duck to water, and really made himself known against Wales. His fantastic (I mean awful…) sh**housery just five minutes into his Test career – which actually led directly to a try – was already a sign of his minerals, but he capped it off with two very well-taken tries. Ridiculously talented player, who will just continue to get better as well. 8
Locks
Ollie Chessum: He’s had his injury struggles this season, but he put that to one side with some solid performances across the Championship. As we’ve come to expect from Chessum, he was incredibly dependable at the lineout and around the park, and never seemed to stop working for his side. Shame to see him pick up another knock at the end, but otherwise a welcome return. 8
Maro Itoje: Giving him the captaincy just took him to new heights we didn’t even think possible, and now he’s the front-runner for the Lions gig as a result. Around the park, he set the standards for those around him with some crucial interventions, but on top of that, he seemed to know exactly what to do at the right time to get his side over the line. A remarkable campaign from an already remarkable player. 9
George Martin: Solid without setting the pitch alight in his two outings this Championship. Typically got heavily involved in the defensive efforts, to very good effect it must be said, but you feel England’s lineout needed an extra option other than Itoje while he was on the pitch and things drastically improved as a result. Unfortunate to pick up an injury too. 6
Ted Hill: You do feel for Ted Hill, who has waited so patiently for his shot at Test level. He was only afforded two very small shifts off the bench against Scotland and Italy and was later dropped. Did ok in the minutes he was given though. 5
Front-row
Theo Dan: His one and only appearance came against Ireland, and he, unfortunately, couldn’t really impact the game much as he came on just as Ireland were running away with the win. Tried hard up front and looked to get involved as much as he could though. 5
Jamie George: Considering he’d been relieved of the captaincy and later picked up an injury, it’s remarkable he made such an impact upon his arrival. His lineout throwing was perfect this Championship – posting a 100% success rate from his 26 throws, and he added some serious quality to the team towards the backend of Tests as well. Also gave a performance fitting of a Test centurion against Italy. 7
Luke Cowan-Dickie: It seems Luke Cowan-Dickie is getting back to his very best after some tough years with various injuries. His abrasive work in the tight was vital to England’s efforts in this department, and he also added some extra beef to the scrum, combining well with Genge and Stuart to form a formidable scrummaging unit. 7
Fin Baxter: Came off the bench in all five Tests, and made a decent fist of it upon his entries. His scrummaging looked back to its best after some tough lessons in the autumn, and he again looked to get stuck into the tough graft. 6
Ellis Genge: Superb throughout the Championship, and has quickly established himself as the front-runner to start at loosehead for the Lions as a result. As always, he made himself readily available for work around the park, but his scrummaging was by far the best we’ve seen from him in an England shirt, and that’s what should please Farrell. Alongside Stuart, he helped turn the scrum into a serious weapon for England, peaking against Wales with a merciless scrummaging show. 9
Will Stuart: It seems weird to talk about a player with 50 caps as having their true breakthrough campaign, but this was Will Stuart’s Six Nations. He dazzled us with his dancing feet around the loose, but backed that up with some truly frightening scrummaging, showcasing his astronomic improvements in this area. Potentially the best English player of the Six Nations? 9
Joe Heyes: He’s been in the international wilderness for a while now, but gave a decent account of himself this Six Nations from the bench. He seemed to get more and more confident as the weeks went by too, rounding things off nicely with a try against Wales. 6
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