England: Steve Borthwick issues Six Nations rallying cry as title ambitions aired<\/a><\/p>\n 11 Ollie Thorley:\u00a0Grew into the match as it went along, enjoying a lovely battle with Will Muir in the process. Typically added some proper power and pace to Gloucester\u2019s attack, and managed to break through on occasion as well with a game-high two linebreaks.\u00a06<\/p>\n 10 Charlie Atkinson:\u00a0Has had to bide his time this season, but properly took the reins tonight with a commanding performance. He offered a genuine all-court threat across his game, with some delicious playmaking and kicking, and took his try superbly well, too. This is exactly what Borthwick would have wanted from him, with England A selection not far away. Would probably be a 7.5 if we did half-points. 7<\/p>\n 9 Tomos Williams (c):\u00a0This was the Welshman at his best, looking very much like the Williams that lit the PREM up last year in the process. Injected serious pace into his side\u2019s attack alongside pinpoint accuracy with his distribution, but also showed his trademark flashes of excellence from the boot too. This return to form will give Gloucester serious belief to build on for the rest of the season, as they eye up a possible Champions Cup berth. Like his half-back partner, would get 7.5 if we did half-points. 7<\/p>\n Back-row<\/p>\n 8 Will Trenholm:\u00a0You\u2019d think he\u2019ll be pretty sore in the morning, given his industrious efforts in the tight. Trucked really well ball-in-hand, dragging his side over the gainline against a pretty aggressive defence, and got stuck into the breakdown efforts too. 7<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as\u00a0a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a>\u00a0for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n 7 Lewis Ludlow:\u00a0Never took a backwards step in a characteristically abrasive performance. Just threw himself into every tackle, carry and breakdown with no regard for his own safety, in a real show of leadership. His side were all the better for it, too. 7<\/p>\n 6 James Venter:\u00a0Possibly not as visible as his back-row colleagues, but that\u2019s certainly not a criticism. Added some bulk to their impressive defensive efforts, and got stuck into the breakdown too.\u00a06<\/p>\n Tight five<\/p>\n 5 Matias Alemanno:\u00a0A huge defensive effort on a night where Gloucester<\/a> needed exactly that. Notched a game-high tally of 19 tackles at 100% completion, while chipping in with a crucial turnover. Proper steel, that will again serve his side well in the coming weeks and months. 7<\/p>\n 4 Deian Gwynne:\u00a0Potentially went under the radar, but was still mightily strong. Like his lock partner, got heavily involved in the defensive efforts, making a healthy 12 tackles to boot, and backed that up with some good work in the breakdown. 6<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Player-Ratings-key1.jpg\")
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