By Zippy 22/04/04
March 22 2004

Zippy rates how the men in red faired against England. As usual marks out of ten.

England 31-21 Wales Read the report

Gareth Thomas - 8
Defended like JPR, his defence to that would be he is still learning the position, lacks the pace to be the complete Full Back, I see his future at 12 under Ruddock. A class act.

Rhys Williams - 6
Shaky in defence and didn’t do as much work as Shane, will need to up his game against the Italians.

Mark Taylor - 8
Back to his best, had the better of Greenwood tackled all day and found the outside of his man in attack.

Tom Shanklin - 7
Quiet but tackled all day which made a change from Harris, a late replacement I was pleased about. Must keep his place.

Shane Williams - 8
Was not allowed the space he had against England last time but showed he has added a new dimension to his game with some lovely touches round the park.

Stephen Jones - 8
The “Turk Carthorse” had a game to remember, defensively brilliant looked more comfortable in attack with the 2 big boys outside him, kicked all day.

Gareth Cooper - 8
"Coops" responded brilliant after some 2nd rate efforts vs the French and Irish, distribution was 1st class, he will need to repeat this next week, unfortunate to be replaced.

Duncan Jones - 7
Stood up to the task of Vickery in the set piece and looked good in the loose, best young prop in the British Isles at present.

Robin McBryde - 5
The line out failures have to come down to 1 man - the hooker, it was a shambles we need to keep things simple. Played well in the loose with some big hits.

Gethin Jenkins - 7
Scrumaged a lot lot better, his work rate round the park was equally impressive, got a great shiner for his efforts.

Brent Cockbain - 6
Line out? Outdone by the impressive Danny Grewcock.

Michael Owen - 6
Didn't play that well but still weighed in with some hits, with all his talent he will exact his revenge on the English some day.

Jonathan Thomas - 5
Needs to recapture his form very soon or he could be facing the boot, didn't really do much.

Colin Charvis - 8
Tackled all day and really looks a true world class player and leader, has completed the full tranformation from Zero to Hero, one of the regions or English sides must now be considering a bid.

Dafydd Jones - 6
Not an orthadox eight and not a long term answer in this position, did much better than against the French and will prob keep his place.

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