England marks out of 10: Nick Easter the pick against France in Paris

Ben Foden Full-back – 7 What a start. Looked quite happy with things after that. No problems under the high ball, which was the initial worry. Why have we had to wait so long? Mark Cueto Wing – 7 Above criticism during England's travails, he remains one of their classiest backs. Maybe lacking the edge of old, but he's clever. Mike Tindall Centre – 7 Immediately lent an authority to England's midfield and, maybe even more importantly a physical edge. Great hands too. Why did he not stay on? Riki Flutey Centre – 5 Couple of brilliant flashes with his hands in England's early purple patch. Otherwise pretty anonymous. Gave way to Wilko. Chris Ashton Wing – 6 Sweet hands sent Foden away for England's early try. Nice run in second half but spoiled by premature chip. Good debut. Toby Flood Fly-half – 5 Not bad at all, even if he still struggles to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Always looks lively. Danny Care Scrum-half – 5 Fine, and there were a few of his famous sniping runs. But they are easier to come by at club level and nothing resulted from any of them here. Tim Payne Prop – 5 Part of England's early struggles in the tight. Did a fair bit of work in the loose, but he's never going to get you off your seat. Dylan Hartley Hooker – 3 Carried a bit early on, but he carried can for England's scrum problems as much as Cole did. Gave away stupid penalty and threw in crooked once. Dan Cole Prop – 2 Penalised three times in first half at the scrum. Was it because he was struggling? Johnno thought so, and he was off at half-time and looked thoroughly miserable about it. Simon Shaw Lock – 3 Off in 15th minute, by which time he'd gifted France a penalty and walloped someone hard. Louis Deacon Lock – 5 Won a few lineouts, but that's the least you would expect. Worked hard, too, but the men opposite him were the bigger figures. Joe Worsley Flanker – 5 No doubt did a lot of unseen work but couldn't see any of it. Never far from the fray, until he left the field midway through second half. Lewis Moody Flanker – 4 Maybe the weight of captaincy held him back, but he was dropped last weekend, so he's not in the best of form. Nick Easter No8 – 8 England's best player. This filthy night suited him down to the ground. Not exactly everywhere, like Harinordoquy, but the ball always seems to come to him. REPLACEMENTS Tom Palmer 7 (on for Shaw 15) Looked very athletic. Steve Thompson 5 (Hartley h-t) Scrum improved after he came on but may be looking his age. David Wilson 6 (Cole h-t) Had a good half – tightened the scrum and drove well. Matthew Tait 5 (Tindall 61) A strange substitute, but he let no one down. Jonny Wilkinson 6 (Flutey 61) What a kick - had everyone dreaming. James Haskell n/a (Worsley 64)