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England vs Samoa player ratings: Who was our man of the match - George Ford, Jonny May or Chris Robshaw?

England finally won their first game of the autumn internationals but who stood out at Twickenham?

David Hands,Jack de Menezes

Saturday 22 November 2014 22:43 GMT

England won their first match in six as they overcame a ferocious but ultimately flat Samoan side that has more troubles off the field than they posed on it.

Jonny May continued his strong form for his country as he bagged two tries, the first a well finished run that demonstrated his explosive pace, while Mike Brown was given a simple try after a lovely cross-field kick from George Ford found Anthony Watson to put the Harlequins full-back over.

Fird performed admirably on his first start in the fly-half shirt, with Owen Farrell shifting to inside centre to accommodate the Bath 10.

It was also a good day for the England pack, as they constantly out-muscled their counterparts to assert their dominance in the scrum and give England the platform to attack from.

Chris Robshaw put in a typically committed performance, especially in defence as he made an incredible 22 tackles during the match.

So how did England rate? Click on the gallery below to find out.

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Show all 16

1/16England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Mike Brown - 6

Enjoyed scoring his try, unusually a couple of high balls went astray and knocked on during a promising first-half attack. Did not reach the high standard achieved a week earlier against the Springboks.

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Anthony Watson - 6

Far more involved than a week earlier and contributed significantly to Brown's try. A potent threat that England need to use more but still learning the game at elite level

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Brad Barritt - 5

A midfield rock who must still be uncertain what is going on around him. Makes his tackles, attacking ploys limited - grub kicks did not come off - but needs a consistent partner

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Owen farrell - 5

Threw himself into breakdowns with usual gusto but still limited coherence in the midfield attack. Important role in first England try but another game - against better opposition - needed to validate his place

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Jonny May - 7

After nine-minute rest for a blood injury, returned to run straight and true for his first-half try. Second try a walk-in but showed there's no substitute for raw pace and consolidated place

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England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

George Ford - 7

Did well on first start, steadied the first-half ship, kicked goals when it mattered and showed himself an attacking threat with front-foot ball. Made his tackles too for a good evening's work

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Ben Youngs - 5

Undemonstrative return to the starting jersey, oiling the works for others. Greater accuracy with his kicking needed, England are still not testing opponents under the high ball enough

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England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Joe Marler - 6

Part of a sound scrum which squeezed out two early penalties. Samoa never found a way round this set-piece boulder and Marler showed his customary zeal in loose play, as ball-handler and tackler

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Rob Webber - 6

Another hard-working game, good set-piece work and justified his selection ahead of Dylan Hartley. Did not get his hands on the ball as much as he does at Bath but deserves another opportunity

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

David Wilson - 7

Did all of the above and also showed flare as a defender by covering back and stifling a Samoa attack down the left flank. He and Marler left early to give game time to replacements

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Dave Attwood - 6

Another perfect lineout display by England, in which Attwood played full part. Greater first-half fluidity would have given him more chances in loose play and missed a try at the end by knocking on

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England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Courtney Lawes - 6

Equal contribution to Attwood at lineout time and ran the ball effectively. Can be pleased with his showing after taking that heavy knock against New Zealand first time out

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

James Haskell - 6

Typically industrious showing from a player bursting to find a regular starting place. Over-eagerness accounted for concession of penalties but covered the ground well and aggressive in the tackle

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England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Chris Robshaw - 7

Named man of the match for doing everything he does every week. Important lineout presence and good hands in May's second try, bustled around the field to great effect and made over 20 tackles

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England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Ben Morgan

Would have liked to make a greater impact. England need more potent running from their big men and though Morgan lifted his game after the break, he became a bit lost as the game broke up

England 28 Samoa 9 player ratings

Replacements:

England used all their bench, of whom George Kruis made the greatest impact. The Saracens lock stole one lineout, popped up in midfield more than once and has made a distinct impression. Marland Yarde made one flaring run as May's first-half replacement and returned eager for more but the game had broken up by the time the rest of the bench appeared.

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