England's tour of South Africa: player ratings Lee Mears (Bath) 5 Ever willing, ever enthusiastic but lacks the ballast to make a difference. At 33 this is likely to be last tour with England looking to develop midweek hooker, Tom Youngs. Geoff Parling (Leicester) 7 Parling has made himself the master of the lineout, an area of strength in this series. Although not the most powerfully-built, Parling puts himself about, topping tackle count in second test. Mouritz Botha (Saracens) 5 Botha has been a steadfast, down-to-earth workhorse for England but he lost his place to the more dynamic Tom Palmer for the final test. Tom Palmer (Stade Francais) 6 When he has the bit between his teeth makes a real difference to England's ball-carrying game, his drive and energy in the loose also a telling factor. Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs) 8 One of the finds of the tour although he is in the most hotly-contested area in the England squad with Tom Croft and Tom Wood to return from injury. A bit naïve at times but has huge energy. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) 8 He continues to grow in stature, as a player as well as a captain. Once again, he was most prominent in tackle counts and ball-carrying. Missed third test with thumb injury. Phil Dowson (Northampton) 5 Only saw action from the bench in first and third tests but is a reliable replacement, hard-nosed and willing. Lacks a turn of speed at highest level but tough and diligent. Ben Morgan (Scarlets) 4 A disappointing tour after promising Six Nations, Morgan was dropped for third test. He didn't have the zip and penetration shown during championship and needs to improve his conditioning. Thomas Waldrom (Leicester) 7 The Kiwi-born Waldrom may not look the part but he does play it with remarkable effectiveness, his barrelling gait and deceptively quick feet making inroads. James Haskell (Highlanders) 7 An injury to Chris Robshaw gave Haskell his opportunity and he made best use of it with a typically forthright, hard-tackling display in third Test. Lots of physicality, only a few mistakes, a good performance. Ben Youngs (Leicester) 8 There were heartening signs of a return to form after some troubling times, Youngs scoring two tries in the second test before having to return home with a shoulder injury. Danny Care (Harlequins) 8 The Prodigal Son had to earn his fatted calf, duly doing so when scoring England's only try on his recall in the third test. Sharp and purposeful, Care will fight all the way for shirt in November. Lee Dickson (Northampton) 6 A busy, dependable organiser. Scrum-half has become a position of strength with shades in this trio of the Dawson, Bracken, Gomarsall era Owen Farrell (Saracens) 5 After such an acclaimed arrival on the scene, Farrell has shown signs of tailing-off, rushed and edgy rather than assured. Dropped to bench for second and third tests. Toby Flood (Leicester) 7 Has taken time to earn the confidence of Stuart Lancaster but brings more creative potential to England's back line, a knee injury unfortunately removing him early in third test. Brad Barritt (Saracens) 6 Returned to his native Durban for the opening test as first-choice inside centre only to suffer lacerated eye. England yet to settle on best line-up in midfield. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester) 7 England switched him infield to the No 12 slot after first test to bring physicality to that channel. No sign yet of guile needed to make long-term go of the position. Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) 6 Great things expected of the 21 year-old, the first natural outside centre for a long time. Debut in Jo'burg but barely touched ball in two tests. Unproven. Chris Ashton (Northampton) 7 The drought continues with no try scored since Scotland World Cup pool match yet Ashton has impressed with his eagerness to seek opportunity. The tries will come David Strettle (Saracens) 4 A disappointing tour with injury niggles and an inability to make a mark, Strettle's time in the senior squad may be limited with the likes of Gloucester's Jonny May pushing hard Ben Foden (Northampton) 5 England's regular full-back for so long, Foden has not bleated about the switch to wing in first and third tests. It doesn't look a comfortable fit, though. Mike Brown (Harlequins) Got his first start for four years in Durban and acquitted himself well only to suffer a thumb injury that ruled him out of the tour. Did enough to suggest he'll be in the mix in November. Alex Goode (Saracens) 7 An uplifting performance in Port Elizabeth on his full debut, Goode gave every indication that he is here to stay, his footballing intelligence very much favoured by Lancaster. Mike Brown (Harlequins) 6 Got his first start for four years in Durban and acquitted himself well only to suffer a thumb injury that ruled him out of the tour. Stuart Lancaster (Head coach) 8 Lancaster continues to impress. He had only a few weeks to prepare to take a 42-man party, plus almost 30 back-up staff, on a five match trip. He has also shown that is still not afraid to make intrepid calls, selecting Jonathan Joseph for debut in Ellis Park, and bringing in Alex Goode for third test. Players respond to his robust yet approachable style of management.