 England might have been on the wrong side of the scoreboard at Twickenham, but the pre-match monsoon dictated that it would be a busy afternoon for Steward. One restart aside, the Leicester full-back continued to rule in the air and his nifty pop off the floor to Joe Cokanasiga was, depressingly, an English attacking highlight. 14. Damian Penaud (France) Without him, it might have been a different story for France against Australia on Saturday night. After being burned by Tom Wright for Australia's first-half wonder try, Penaud got his own back in spectacular fashion; the wing left Wright – who otherwise had an excellent game for the Wallabies – for dead before fending Jock Campbell and snatching the win at the death for France. Picked out of position here but that doesn't seem to faze the former full-back who, in his second cap at inside centre looks like he has played there for a while. Still useful out wide – as was the case for his first try out-leaping Rio Dyer to take Richie Mo'unga's kick – but as a powerful 12 he gives New Zealand another brutal carrier. Averaged over six metres a carry (making 13), broke four tackles, scored twice. Intriguing. 12. Jonathan Danty (France) One of few bona fide stand-outs for Fabien Galthié's side across the full 80 minutes. Danty was at the heart of every cohesive French attack – of which there were surprisingly few. His work at the breakdown alongside France's back row and hooker – the latter of whom, Julien Marchand, also makes this side – was exemplary and noted by Dave Rennie in the post-match press conference. 11. Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina) Player of the match for Los Pumas as they conquered England at Twickenham for the first time in 16 years, B){kind=link}
Three Irishmen make the pack and four Frenchman earn selection for their performances in the victory over Australia
Recognising New Zealand’s stranglehold on Wales, the classic at the Aviva between the world champions and World Rugby’s top-ranked side and the rest of the weekend action across Europe, here is our first team of the 2022 Autumn Internationals.
England might have been on the wrong side of the scoreboard at Twickenham, but the pre-match monsoon dictated that it would be a busy afternoon for Steward. One restart aside, the Leicester full-back continued to rule in the air and his nifty pop off the floor to Joe Cokanasiga was, depressingly, an English attacking highlight.
Without him, it might have been a different story for France against Australia on Saturday night. After being burned by Tom Wright for Australia’s first-half wonder try, Penaud got his own back in spectacular fashion; the wing left Wright – who otherwise had an excellent game for the Wallabies – for dead before fending Jock Campbell and snatching the win at the death for France.
Picked out of position here but that doesn’t seem to faze the former full-back who, in his second cap at inside centre looks like he has played there for a while. Still useful out wide – as was the case for his first try out-leaping Rio Dyer to take Richie Mo’unga’s kick – but as a powerful 12 he gives New Zealand another brutal carrier. Averaged over six metres a carry (making 13), broke four tackles, scored twice. Intriguing.