Wales v England: how the players rated during the Six Nations opener in in Cardiff - Telegraph.co.uk

Mark Cueto: Usual stuff from him. Quiet, competent, efficient, reliable. Mr Boring really. 6

Toby Flood: Big game. Kicked 13 points but also injected brio and variety into England's attack. Confident with ball in hand. 8

Ben Youngs: So-so. Two uncharacteristic knock-ons in first half but still a handful. Combined well with Flood. 7

Andrew Sheridan: Gave away dull early penalty but scrummaged efficiently. More to come from him this championship. 6

Dylan Hartley: Gatland's jibes had no effect. Great control at lineout and even managed to nick one against head when England down to 7 in scrum. 8

Dan Cole: Took him about 5 minutes to get measure of James, chop him into bits and spit him out. 7

Louis Deacon: The tractor. Just a pounding, heavyweight, accurate forward who exhausts the opposition. Needs to watch discipline. 7

Tom Palmer: England's go-to man for important lineouts. Heavily involved in second Ashton try. Impressive. 9

Tom Wood: Looked every inch an international breakaway which for a first cap was simply tremendous. 9

James Haskell: Very energetic again but also headless again. Still gives away stupid penalties. 6

Nick Easter: Lovely two-handed cricketer's catch high above his head in first half and a safe pair of hands generally. 7

Replacements: All came on. Shaw made some important tackles, Wilkinson kicked 3 points, Worsley banged into a few defenders. Job done. 7

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Wales

James Hook: Why was he started at full back? Too deep to use his wonderful hands and drifting runs to flummox England. 7/10

Morgan Stoddart: Wales's best back. Scored once and worried England down that right flank all game. 8

Jamie Roberts: Poor for a player of his quality. Asked crowd for support before kick off but couldn't generate excitement himself. 4

Jonathan Davies: A decent match. Quick, elusive, feisty. Very much part of the future for Wales. 8

Shane Williams: A few lateral runs but no real penetration. Can't fault his effort though. 6

Stephen Jones: Dazed by Foden tackle inside 39 seconds. A clever, delayed pass to Lydiate aside, largely ineffective. 4

Mike Phillips: All muscle and no brain. Easy to defend against. Wales's problems start with him. 5

Paul James: Rubbed head into Cole's face after second scrum as gesture of in intimidation. Went belly up after that though. Literally. 6

Matthew Rees: Replaced as hooker and captain inside final 10 minutes. A humbling way to end an indifferent match. 5

Craig Mitchell: Not great. Was in the sin bin when England scored second try and part of a holding operation at scrum time. 5

Bradley Davies: Strange game. Looked very good at times but then drifted sluggishly for large periods. Can compete physically. 7

Alun Wyn Jones: Didn't wreak the havoc at England's lineout he would have wanted. Another player who needs to offer more. 6

Dan Lydiate: Worked hard but in a team short of ideas and behind a front five which couldn't impose itself. 7

Sam Warburton: Work in progress. Didn't really get into game because Wales's handling and execution was so indifferent. 6

Andy Powell: A liability. Kicked away good possession, conceded penalties and made errors. This is Test rugby, son. You can't do that. 3

Replacements: Ryan Jones, on for Powell, was the most impressive. Byrne and Peel spiced things up near the end, but Wales were out of it by then. 6