England thrashed Chile 71-0 in Lille on Saturday night to stay perfect at the Rugby World Cup.
Steve Borthwick’s rampant side sit pretty at the Pool D summit after running in 11 tries in a one-sided demolition in Lille, with five of those going to Henry Arundell, who matched an England record.
A much-changed team featured a brilliant performance in an unfamiliar full-back role from Marcus Smith, who had two tries of his own along with young Saracens hooker Theo Dan.
Jack Willis and Bevan Rodd were also on the scoresheet, while captain Owen Farrell returned from suspension on a perfect night for Borthwick, who now has some serious selection headaches to contend with ahead of the final group meeting with Samoa back in Lille on October 7.
Standard Sport’s rugby correspondent Nick Purewal was at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to rate the England players.
Backs
Marcus Smith – 9
A statement performance from a man making his first start at full-back at any level, and excelling from first to last.
Henry Arundell – 9
The Racing 92 wing was only 10 months old when Josh Lewsey became the last England player to score five tries in one match. This was a smart display of razor-sharp finishing.
Elliot Daly – 7
Busied himself throughout by putting other people into space and giving them time on the ball.
Ollie Lawrence – 8
A powerful performance that offered England continued front-foot and fast ball.
Max Malins – 7
Needed time to adjust but settled and warmed to the task the longer the game wore on.
Owen Farrell – 8
Just as assured as ever on his return to the side and his first World Cup appearance. Knows how to put a team in the right areas of the field.
Danny Care – 8
Sustained a breakneck pace at times as England ran away with the match across the course of a hectic afternoon.
Forwards
Bevan Rodd – 7
Took his try well and proved solid and reliable in every aspect of an encouraging performance.
Theo Dan – 8
His two-try turn was just the tip of an impressive iceberg where the pacy front-rower also scrummaged well and was tidy in the lineout.
Kyle Sinckler – 7
Still working his way back to his best after injury but this was another big step forward for the Bristol prop.
David Ribbans – 7
A physical showing as England strong-armed Chile and refused to let them off the hook.
George Martin – 8
The Leicester bruiser threw his weight around in the smartest fashion as England turned the screw up front.
Lewis Ludlam – 8
Ploughed through a mountain of unglamorous work amid a top-level showing from England.
Jack Willis – 8
His match-closing try acted as just reward for a hard-working showing full of as much endeavor as ingenuity.
Billy Vunipola – 7
Another step in the right direction for the physical talisman of this pack. England desperately need Vunipola at full tilt come the quarter-finals.
Replacements
Jack Walker (for Dan, 55) – 8
Kept the intensity and dragged England all the way to the death with a smart cameo
Joe Marler (for Rodd, 55) – 7
The experienced Harlequins prop knew exactly what was required to ease England over the line and he delivered.
Will Stuart (for Sinckler, 55) – 7
England’s set-piece continued to dominate despite a total change, and Stuart kept the scrum and lineout solid.
Ollie Chessum (for Ludlam, 55) – 7
The Leicester lock once again showed exactly why he is valued so highly in the England ranks.
Ben Earl (for Vunipola, 67) – 8
The Saracens star was quickly into his lung-busting, power-running stride to push England even further ahead.
Ben Youngs (for Care, 49) – 7
England’s tempo stayed high despite the change at nine and that was to Youngs’ credit.
George Ford (for Daly, 49) – 8
Mixed up his delivery well and combined well with Smith for the full-back's second try.
Joe Marchant (for Malins, 71) – 7
The pacy centre is having a fine World Cup and this was just another smart turn.
