5 Iain Balshaw First two touches resulted in a turnover and a penalty. However, did well in providing scoring pass for Tait.

6 Paul Sackey Another try to add to his impressive tally and ran strongly before a clash of heads ended his afternoon.

8 Jamie Noon Big presence in midfield and growing in stature. Defensive captain who sets the tone and leads by example.

6 Toby Flood Still not a figure of authority. Some nice touches, but faded and was replaced by Wilkinson.

4 Lesley Vainikolo Still struggling at this level. Tried to look for work, but when he got the ball was desperately slow.

9 Danny Cipriani What more can one say about one of the most assured England debuts in living memory? Walked the walk.

6 Richard Wigglesworth Yet to nail down the position. Did the basics well, but sometimes slow to clear from the breakdown.

7 Andrew Sheridan Did not have things all his own way against a dogged Ireland front row. Still needs to believe in himself.

7 Lee Mears A real threat in the loose and frequently made good ground. Will not be entirely happy with throwing-in.

6 Phil Vickery Committed as ever, but missed a couple of tackles. Gave it everything until replaced on the hour.

7 Simon Shaw Worked hard in the tight and prominent in the loose, but the clock is ticking on the London Wasps veteran.

6 Steve Borthwick Was not able to impose himself at the lineout as much as he would have hoped. Generally solid.

7 Tom Croft Good source of lineout ball and almost got away in second half. Not always at ease at close quarters.

6 Michael Lipman Quick to the breakdown and twice involved in build-up to Sackey’s try. However, yet to convince.

8 Nick Easter Provides the grunt in England’s back row. Strong and unflashy, like Dean Richards, his Harlequins mentor.

Replacements

Mathew Tait Provided real gas and took his chance well 7

Jonny Wilkinson Arrived to biggest cheer of the day. Unruffled and alert 7

Matt Stevens Once again laid down serious challenge to Vickery 7

Ben Kay Replaced Shaw and held things together 6

James Haskell, George Chuter and Paul Hodgson All late replacements.