LEIGH HALFPENNY: His magnificent place kicking kept Wales in the game, the full-back slotting some monster penalties. For such an exciting player though he does get involved in kick tennis rather than look to attack. 7

ALEX CUTHBERT: Made a lovely break in the second half which Jamie Roberts ended up making a mess off. After a quiet first half, the wing came into the game well and put in some great tackles to save the day. 7

JONATHAN DAVIES: Defended well but made a howler in attack after some fine work by Rhys Webb, the centre making a complete mess of an attempted kick ahead. Looked rusty after his long lay off with a chest injury. 5

JAMIE ROBERTS: Made some great tackles but was guilty of a terrible error of judgement when Wales simply had to score. He decided to kick on aimlessly when holding on to the ball was the only thing to do. 5

GEORGE NORTH: Had a shocker. Butchered two golden chances, one in the first half after he booted the ball into touch and then, early in the second, threw a dreadful forward pass when England were at sixes and sevens that was schoolboy stuff. 4

RHYS PRIESTLAND: Although this defeat wasn’t his fault, his time as Wales No 10 surely must come to an end. Did show one or two nice touches but he cost his side crucial territory kicking out on the full and was turned over. 4

RHYS WEBB: Looks a promising prospect, made some lovely breaks which could have yielded better. Went off injured after 52 minutes but Mike Phillips made little to no impact. 7

GETHIN JENKINS: Not the way he would have wanted to celebrate becoming Wales’ joint most capped player on his 104th cap. Constantly penalised in the scrum and was sin binned after 53 minutes, never to return. 4

RICHARD HIBBARD: Solid enough if not spectacular. Lineouts went relatively well apart from one glaring one which England scored from after he missed his captain Sam Warburton at the tail. 5

ADAM JONES: Didn’t have the impact in the scrum he would have wanted as Wales notably failed to repeat last year’s domination of England in this vital aspect of play. Offers little to nothing in the loose. 5

JAKE BALL: Worked tirelessly and gave his all but Wales probably missed the experience of the injured Luke Charteris. The Scarlets man didn’t leave his side down though. 5

ALUN WYN JONES: Another player who gives his all and this was no different. Was guilty, as he often is, of turning over the ball when he does get his hands on the ball. And it was a crucial point in the clash as well. 5

DAN LYDIATE: Another average performance from a player who often seems out of his depth during a high tempo game. Okay in a slugfest but offers so little in open play. 5

SAM WARBURTON: Worked his socks off and secured a couple of important turnovers. Hitting more form but the back row lacked balance again. 6

TAULUPE FALETAU: Did okay but wasn’t brought into the game as much as he would have liked. He did give one shocking pass as Wales launched an attack on the flank. 6