Ireland player ratings versus Italy
Ireland picked up their second win of the Natwest 6 Nations with a comprehensive 56-19 win over Italy.
A win for Joe Schmidt’s side never looked in doubt with Ireland scoring four tries in the first half, with the same number again in the second. Robbie Henshaw and Jacob Stockdale both scored twice. The disappointment for Joe Schmidt will be three tries conceded in the second half, with the game becoming more open.
Injuries to Tadgh Furlong and Henshaw are a concern ahead of what will be a much sterner test against Wales in two weeks.
A superb performance from @IrishRugby…#IREvITA#NatWest6Nations pic.twitter.com/eXGH7g8Det
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 10, 2018
15. Rob Kearney – 5
A quiet game from the Ireland full back, more involved in the first half from an attacking perspective but faded after that.
14. Keith Earls – 9
Earls has been in fine form for Munster and he took that into this contest. Came off his wing on several occasions and was a lively threat. He finished off a fine break from Bundee Aki to score a try in the 36th minute. Moved into the centre when Henshaw went off injured. Showed huge desire and wonderful pace to track back and tackle Mattia Bellini in the 80th minute, when the Italian looked a certainty to score.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 8
An excellent start to the game, making a few notable breaks. Scored Ireland’s opening try crashing over next to the posts. Scooped up a loose Sergio Parisse pass early in the second half and raced in from 30 metres. He landed awkwardly while trying to fend off a tackle and picked up a shoulder injury in the process, going off in a sling. Ireland missed him defensively after that.
12. Bundee Aki – 8
New Zealand born Aki carried plenty of ball in Ireland’s win over France and it was the same again here in Dublin. He recovered from a few early spills to barge over in 21st minute, for his first international try. Set up Ireland’s fourth try with an excellent break after spotting a mismatch, giving Keith Earls a run-in.
11. Jacob Stockdale – 7
Four tries in five appearances before this one and eager to add to his tally. Had a shaky opening half, a clearance from his 22 failed to make touch and also gave away a penalty in the 39th minute after getting isolated. He improved in the second half, scoring on the hour mark. The Ulster winger showed good poise for an intercept try in the 70th minute, picking up Tommaso Castello’s loose ball, racing in from his own half – he demonstrated electric pace to beat Jayden Hayward on the outside.
10. Johnny Sexton – 7
Faultless kicking display from the tee in the first half, including two conversions from tight to the right and left touchlines. Overcooked a grubber kick for Earls in the 31st minute, with the ball going dead. His trademark looping runs were plentiful, which helped open up the Italian defence. He was replaced by Joey Carbury in the 51st minute and Ireland lacked direction after that.
9. Conor Murray – 8
Another energetic performance from Ireland’s scrum half and a try scorer in the 14th minute. Dictated the pace of the game and he was missed when he was replaced by Kieran Marmion, with Ireland losing a measure of control.
1. Jack McGrath – 6
Preferred to Cian Healy for this one and did nothing wrong. Had a few carries and faultless at scrum time. Replaced in 68th minute by Healy.
2. Rory Best – 7
Lineout functioned without any problems. At the tail of a rolling maul to muscle his way over for a second half try. Replaced by Sean Cronin in the 61st minute.
3. Tadhg Furlong N/A
Went off in the fourth minute with a hamstring injury, replaced by his Leinster clubmate Andrew Porter .
4. Iain Henderson – 6
Carried plenty of ball in the first half, solid but not spectacular. Substituted at half-time by Quinn Roux.
5. Devin Toner – 5
Lost his place to James Ryan for the France game. Did little to suggest he should maintain the jersey for the Wales game.
6. Peter O’Mahoney – 6
His usual industrious self, making himself a nuisance whenever Italy managed to gain possession.
7. Dan Leavy – 6
With Josh van der Flier out for the rest of the season, this was Leavy’s chance to make his mark from the start. He provided the key turnover for Ireland’s fourth try. Looked sluggish as he tried to reach Tomasso Castello, when the Italian’s break set up their first try.
8. Jack Conan – 5
His first ever 6 Nations start and brought in to give CJ Stander a break. A try assist for Conor Murray, but apart from that he failed to leave an impression. A shoulder injury saw him replaced at the break.
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin – 5
A lively hooker in the loose, but he didn’t get a chance to showcase this in his 20 minutes on the pitch.
17. Cian Healy – 5
A 68th minute substitute for Jack McGrath. Too little time to make an impression.
18. Andrew Porter – 7
Came far earlier than expected, because of a 4th minute injury to Furlong. Stood up to the test from the Italian front row at scrum time and also carried well, can be pleased with his performance.
19. Quinn Roux – 5
A half-time substitute for Iain Henderson. Not a notable game from the Connacht man, but did little wrong either.
20. CJ Stander – 6
His usual tireless workrate when he came on in the second half for the injured Jack Conan.
21. Kieran Marmion – 5
Replaced Conor Murray in the 51st minute. The game became far too open after that and he failed to take it by the scruff of the neck
22. Joey Carbery – 5
Slotted over all three conversions that he faced. Tried to force things and it didn’t always come off, Keith Earls won’t thank him for a pass which saw him throttled by two Italians deep in his own 22.
23. Jordan Larmour – 5
Came up too fast in defence and missed a tackle on Matteo Minozzi in the build up to Italy’s second try. Failed to stop Italy’s third try either, his defensive positioning was too narrow and was beaten in the corner by Minozzi again. He did show flickers of his dancing feet late on, cutting through the Italian defence in the final minute.
Joe Schmidt reveals extent of Henshaw and Furlong injuries
Bundee Aki speaks after scoring his first international try for Ireland
Comments on RugbyPass
Wow, there is a lot of “could have” and “ should have” in this waist of time dribble. I love the deportation in this story to search for a glimpse at a silver lining. Here are the facts, NZ was a badly coached and undisciplined shadow of their former glory. They never took the lead in a game they were never going to win.
153 Go to commentsGOTTA MAKE ‘THE GEORGE’ HAPPEN!!!! That’s a great idea! A trans Tasman midget battle on ANZAC Day. I don’t think the ABs Wallabies game should be a one off winner takes all though, just the first match with the other two later in the year with the RC. Reason being, no one will ever shut up about how aussies couldn’t win it when it was a 3 match series.
1 Go to comments@Ben smith. Thats knock out rugby. So honeslty who cares?
153 Go to commentsIt will interesting to know which Irish players said that…
1 Go to commentsNaaaww boys will be boys! Now run along ya wee scamp! Don’t let us catch you at again😏
1 Go to commentsGreat to have Ethan Blackadder back in the Crusaders in the last few weeks. One of the best all round loose forwards around. He played so well last week against the Rebels. Fantastic attitude Ethan has and his comments are spot on.
2 Go to commentsThe author is 100% right. The Springboks know that they don't have near the natural attraction, mana, skill and mystic the All Blacks have. So, Chasing the sun 1 & 2 was concocted to overblow the Boks image on the back of a corruptly obtained “win". It's marketing ploy to force the Boks delusion as the World's Best. I guess World Rugby is also not to be believed when it came out with an apology about how the final was officiated. And if the 2023 final such a superb game by the Boks, then the Boks crying about Referee Bryce Lawrence for decades is also deserves a laugh. Chase the sun and get burned like a moth. A very well written literary piece that tore the Boks and Chasing the sun farce to shreds. 🖤All Blacks🏉
153 Go to commentsI’d say France was far more hard done by in the 2011 final than the All Blacks in this game. Joubert simply refused to call a penalty against the All Blacks in the last quarter even directing an All Black to drop a ball he picked up in an offside position rather than penalizing him. This article also totally discounts the efforts of PSTD. Ask Jordie how well he played. Or the backup flank who played hooker for the entire game. Siya was also a brilliant tackle by Richie from scoring a blinder. Pollard was also fantastic. Look I don’t like the boks style but the only thing more questionable than the content of this article is the timing of it. Get over it already
153 Go to commentsDad Marty was also a handy rugby player for Linwood back in the day. Great bloke. Sensational softball career.
2 Go to commentsWhat ifs are always dangerous. If you look at the game before Sam cane got sent of SA was dominating. You could make the argument the going down to 14 men rallied the troops and made them have to play to win which is always dangerous.
153 Go to commentsOmg… you are bruised And battered Benny. Stop crying … the scoreboard speaks. What a pathetic lover you are.. 🤣🤣🤣
153 Go to commentsPacific Lions, cry me a river
153 Go to commentsThis is the single worst piece of journalism I have ever seen since your last one. As a neutral, who really states that there should be an asterisk next to a win? You are an utter embarrassment to real AB fans, journalism and that joke of a house which pays you for this nonsense. Get a life, Ben.
153 Go to commentsGuys. Cancel the World Cup champions after this analysis. It changes everything. Ben knows. We’ll have to unengrave the Bokke off the trophy and hand it to the ABs, now that I’ve been enlightened about this illegitimate win. This needs to be done. Now!
153 Go to commentsBen is right here though, Springboks were woefully poor with the advantage they had throughout this game. The France match was heroic because that was an even contest this match had it taken place in Rugby Championship would have been an easy win for NZ. If anything this match should tell the Bok coaches that a lot of this team should be changed. They beat this same NZ team by record margin with the same circumstances but with a different core. They bring back the tried and tested guys and they nearly botch this game.
153 Go to commentsI knew who wrote this article from the first few words in the headline…lol. The red card actually did the ABs a favour. It galvanized them, only then did they step up a gear. Before that there was zero momentum.
153 Go to commentsFirstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
153 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
153 Go to commentsHo hum.
153 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
153 Go to comments