Nick Cain marks the England touring party

Test players
Dylan Hartley (c)
Top-quality leadership. Attended impressively to the core skills of hooking, and the longer he stayed out of trouble, the greater his authority. Good try in Melbourne but carrying needs work. 8/10
Mako Vunipola
Grew in stature enough to supplant Joe Marler as England’s first choice loose-head. Barnstorming contribution in open field, especially in Sydney, and smart at the scrum. 8/10
Dan Cole
Staggering transformation. Leicester’s ‘Hodor’ finished as a dominant force against the Wallabies, scoring a deserved third test try, after looking washed-up pre-Six Nations. 8/10
Maro Itoje
Stellar. Left the best till last in an extraordinary 25-match unbeaten run. The youngster knocked the Australians back at every turn with telling steals, tackles and carries. 9/10
George Kruis
A good, combative footballer, with an unflagging work-rate. The downside was that the Aussies put too many dents in a lineout that was not as pristine as in the Six Nations. 7.5/10
Chris Robshaw
Much more effective at blindside, and proved it with an outstanding 50th cap display in the stonewall series clincher in Melbourne. Not the fastest, but none with a bigger heart. 7.5/10
James Haskell

The Wrecker. Had done irreparable damage to the host nation by the time he was ruled out of the final Test. Out-tackled, out-muscled, and outplayed the vaunted Australian back-row. 8.5/10
Billy Vunipola
The Australians were shaken by the power of the young No.8. Nothing demonstrated it better than his classic pick-and-drive try from the scrum that secured the whitewash in Sydney. 8/10
Ben Youngs
Showed his talent with sniping breaks and kicks which gained acres of territory in the last Test. Eclipsed Phipps, but a 62 cap scrum-half’s authority should be full flow, not intermittent. 7.5/10
George Ford
The Ford-Farrell axis at 10-12 tilted the series, with the Bath play-maker’s arrival in the first Test crucial. His tactical nous as a passer and kicker sharpened England’s teeth in attack. 8/10
Owen Farrell
With 26 from 29 kicks the world class marksman was key to this 3-0 series win, piling pressure on until the Aussies cracked. Tackled strongly, but occasionally flat-footed.  9/10
Jack Nowell
Got wake-up call and responded with good finish off the bench in Brisbane. Mixed bag in defence against Folau in Sydney, but always busy and kept Wallabies on their toes. 7/10
Jonathan Joseph
Scored a timely opportunist try in the first Test, and did a sterling defensive job throughout the series, keeping Kuridrani quiet and regularly scything down Folau. Sightings rarer in attack. 7.5/10
Anthony Watson
Good chip or Brown’s try in the last Test, but made few inroads counter-attacking from deep and not as noticeable as Nowell. Has scary pace, but rarely found space to use it. 6.5/10
Mike Brown
Not at his best, with high ball radar often on the blink. However, his head never went down and got stronger as the series went on, culminating in typically ‘up yours’ try in Sydney. 7/10
Marland Yarde
Unlucky not to get another run after making a strong impression in defence and attack in Brisbane. Had to make do with his try at Suncorp when Elliot Daly was preferred on the bench. 6/10
Luther Burrell
Tough day at the office for the Saints centre in the opening Test, but backline defence was badly askew and needed urgent fixing. Replaced by Ford on half-hour, and on tackle bags after that.  5/10
Teimana Harrison
Needed to make a big early impact on debut in Sydney, but got caught up in the spin-dryer. May not yet have physicality required of a Test openside, but still a good prospect. 5/10
Bench men
Jamie George
Super sub hooker has footballing skill to spare. Everything he touched turned to gold, with a try in Sydney and the grubber for Farrell in Melbourne. 8/10
Luke Cowan-Dickie
A couple of lost lineouts late in the opening Test saw George oust him from the replacements bench. Powerful, but throwing-in is still too erratic. 5/10
Matt Mullan
Two solid 15 minute stints for Mako Vunipola in the first and second Tests helped England to clinch the series – plus a punishing last statement in Melbourne. 6.5/10
Paul Hill
The 21-year-old Saints tighthead mirrored Mullan’s contribution, and also showed his mobility by handling in the build-up to Nowell’s try. Came off the bench to secure victory three times. 6.5/10
Joe Launchbury
Brought his experience and physical presence to bear in the final quarter of all three matches, but will be frustrated not to have secured a starting role in this series. 7/10
Courtney Lawes
Made his angular physicality count in the close quarter combat in Sydney after replacing Harrison. Featured in every Test, and is gradually getting back to full speed. 7/10
Danny Care
Brought an injection of energy when he came on in all three matches. Made a sniping run in the preamble to Nowell’s first Test touchdown, and closed it out in Melbourne and Sydney. 6.5/10
Jack Clifford
Finished with lively contributions in the second and third Tests after being left out of the 23 in Brisbane. Mustard keen after replacing Robshaw in Sydney. 6.5/10
Elliot Daly
The Wasps 13 got just 10 minutes combined in the last two Tests. Versatile, with speed to play in the back three, and long range kicking.  5.5/10
Dirt trackers
Kyle Sinckler
The Harlequins tight-head was unable to nudge ahead of Hill in the pecking order, but it will have been an invaluable learning experience – especially in terms of the discipline required. 5/10
Ellis Genge
Rugged young Leicester No.1 didn’t get any game time, but impressed with his uncompromising attitude in training. Not yet ready to supplant Mullan, but making rapid progress. 5/10
Alex Goode
The bench split of six forwards and only two backs for the last two Tests worked against him, and, with Brown not at his best, the Saracens full-back had reason to feel frustrated at not getting on. 5/10
Henry Slade
Breaking the Ford-Farrell partnership was going to be an uphill task after the Brisbane Test, especially with no midweek matches. 5/10
Ben Te’o
Former Aussie RL star was touted to start the opener, but the message thereafter from Eddie Jones was of the “work in progress” variety. 5/10