England maintained their Six Nations title bid with victory against Wales, aided by a scoring return for wing Anthony Watson. The returning Anthony Watson set England on their way to a 33-30 win at home to Wales that keeps their Six Nations title challenge on track.
The hosts were boosted by the inclusion of wing Watson in the XV for the first time in the tournament, after a calf injury lay-off, and he got the first of three England tries.
Elliot Daly crossed later in the first half and, after Justin Tipuric raced through for Wales at the start of the second period, Manu Tuilagi secured a third win in four matches for England before being sent off with five minutes remaining. Dan Biggar and Tipuric grabbed consolation tries for Wales in the closing moments, earning them a losing bonus point.
Here is how we rated Eddie Jones' charges:
15 Elliot Daly - 6
Moved to the wing after May's injury and finished off his try in style. Otherwise an overall solid game from the versatile back.
14 Anthony Watson - 7.5
First England start since the World Cup final but showed no signs of rustiness. He finished off his try superbly.
He had an overall strong game both on attack, defence and under the high ball.
13 Manu Tuilagi - 6
Scored a try, carried strongly and was excellent on defence.
Tuilagi had a strong game before he was red-carded in the latter stages of the game.
12 Owen Farrell - 8
An excellent game from the England captain.
Accurate from the tee nailing all of his six attempts at goal and linked up well with the likes of Tuilagi and Ford.
11 Jonny May - n/a
Unfortunately, May did not have enough of an impact on the game as he left the field in the early stages of the game and was unable to return.
10 George Ford - 7.5
His restart to start the second half was one of the few blemishes on his game as he produced some nice passes in the build-up to Daly and Tuilagi's tries and kicked well out of hand to pin Wales back.
An influential performance from the playmaker without standing out above the rest.
9 Ben Youngs - 9
An excellent game from the veteran scrumhalf who earned the man of the match award.
He impressed with the boot, made some excellent runs through the Welsh defence put Watson through a gap for the winger's try.
1 Joe Marler - 7
A superb scrummaging performance and a busy evening around the park.
The loosehead's game will be remembered for his actions on Alun-Wyn Jones but it was a great outing for the veteran.
2 Jamie George - 6
Just another day at the office for the England hooker.
Hit his jumpers at the lineout, was solid on defence and got stuck into the breakdowns.
3 Kyle Sinckler - 8.5
18 tackles missing just one in a massive 76 minute performance.
He also linked up well with his teammates making 5 passes and just three carries. His work in the scrum was excellent as well.
4 Maro Itoje - 7.5
Did everything with excellence and efficiency making all of his attempted 15 tackles and made a whopping 23 running metres from his single carry.
Got stuck into the rucks helping England generate quick ball.
5 George Kruis - 7
Ran the lineout well, got stuck on defence and had an all-round solid 57-minute game.
6 Courtney Lawes 7.5
Another workmanlike performance making an outstanding 20 tackles in 65 minutes without missing.
He also won a turnover in a simple and effective performance.
7 Mark Wilson - 7
A storming shift making 22 tackles - joint most with Curry. He did was asked of him and was physical on both sides of the ball.
Not quite as effective at the breakdown as Sam Underhill but did contribute and combine well with fellow forwards.
8 Tom Curry - 8
Looks more and more comfortable at the back of the scrum with each passing game.
22 tackles without missing and 12 carries leading to 39 running metres shows just how great of a game he had.
He also pilfered over the ball well.
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6.5
Kept the set piece ticking over well, picking up from where George left off from. Also made 10 tackles in his 24 minute cameo.
17 Ellis Genge - 4
Featured for just 7 minutes taking one for the team as he was sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements.
Made 3 tackles in his short cameo.
18 Will Stuart - n/a
Came on too late to make too much of an impact.
19 Joe Launchbury - 6
Picked up from where Kruis left off and excelled.
20 Charlie Ewels - 5
Threw his weight around but was less effective as Launchbury.
21 Ben Earl - n/a
Also came on with not much time left and altough he did manage to get involved somewhat it wasn't enough to give him a fair rating.
22 Willi Heinz - 6
Little for him to do in the final stages on attack but did help England see out the win.
23 Henry Slade - 7.5
Solid at filling in at fullback after May's injury. He entered the line at the right times, covered the back field well and made a try-saving tackle in the final ten minutes.
