England fell agonisingly short in their bid to win the 2015 RBS 6 Nations despite a 55-35 victory over France at Twickenham . Stuart Lancaster 's side finished runners-up for the fourth straight year after falling six points shy of overhauling Ireland on points difference . Here , Sportsmail 's SAM PETERS rates the England players for the tournament : . Mike Brown : Recovered from concussion against Italy to produce some excellent rugby . Missed in Dublin but looks back to his best . 7.5/10 . Mike Brown jumps to try and catch the ball up against France 's Gael Fickou at Twickenham . Alex Goode : Only start against Ireland was tough . Had a reasonable game but lacked Brown ’ s snarling edge and defensive solidity . 6 . Jonny May : Dropped for ignoring overlap against Italy . May be some time before he gets another shot at international game . 4.5 . Jonny May was dropped by Stuart Lancaster after ignoring an overlap against Italy . Jack Nowell : Replaced May in Dublin and hardly put a foot wrong in three high-octane displays . Lacks electric pace but has nous , strength and courage . 8 . Anthony Watson : Excellent in opening win over Wales and tidy for the rest of the tournament but still with something to prove . 6.5 . Jonathan Joseph : England ’ s outstanding attacking player . Proved big doesn ’ t have to be beautiful with exceptional running lines . 9 . Jonathan Joseph was England 's outstanding attacking player throughout the Six Nations . Luther Burrell : High work-rate and strong carrying but may struggle to retain place when Barritt and Tuilagi are fit . Top team player . 6 . George Ford : Proved doubters wrong with composed , intelligent displays which showcased his ability to time passes to perfection . 8.5 . George Ford proved his doubters wrong with composed , intelligent displays at fly-half . Ben Youngs : Back to his best and firmly in place as first-choice No 9 for World Cup . High-class partnership with Ford . 8 . Joe Marler : Struggled against Scotland but in general , set-piece work was excellent . Must carry more . 7 . Ben Youngs was back to his best int he Six Nations and cemented his position as first choice scrum-half . Dylan Hartley : Nowhere near effective enough in the loose and line-out throwing also below his own high standards . 5.5 . Dan Cole : Exceptional all-round contribution after starting against Wales with little rugby following injury . 8 . Dan Cole ( left ) provided an exceptional all-round contribution with little rugby after an injury . George Kruis : Harshly dropped from squad after loss in Ireland but will have learned from his experience . Excellent prospect . 6.5 . Dave Attwood : Unable to further his case after strong autumn . Not effective enough in tight and struggled to exert authority . 5.5 . Courtney Lawes : Returned to fitness for last two games and reminded us of his world-class attributes . Superb athlete . 8.5 . Courtney Lawes showed glimpses of his world-class ability after returning to fitness for the last two games . Geoff Parling : Back in the starting line-up against France and produced a highly effective and mobile contribution . 7 . James Haskell : Superb display in Cardiff but tapered off and sin bin against France was costly . 6.5 . Billy Vunipola : Outstanding tournament for the ball-carrying No 8 . Hardly put a foot wrong and work-rate was incredible . 9 . Billy Vunipola hardly put a foot wrong for England at No 8 throughout the entire competition . Chris Robshaw : Tireless and consistent leadership . Lacks pace for an openside but is dogged , determined and unflappable . 7 . Subs : Cipriani 6.5 , Wigglesworth 7 , Wood 6.5 , Easter 6.5 , Brookes 6.5 , T Youngs 6.5 .
England finished as Six Nations runners-up for fourth year in a row . Jonathan Joseph stood out as the best attacking player . Ben Youngs proved his critics wrong with a series of composed displays . George Ford was back to his best and firmly in hold of No 9 jersey . Billy Vunipola had an outstanding tournament at No 8 .