Ireland player ratings - how they fared against Scotland
Ireland won their 14th Championship after a four-try 28-8 win over Scotland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. They remain on course for the Grand Slam with England next up on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Ireland player ratings:
The Leinster man is consistency personified and this was a particularly good performance. Commanding in air and made an excellent start when putting Finn Russell under pressure in the 4th minute to force a knock on. Saved try scoring opportunities in each half, narrowed the angle for Huw Jones in the 29th minute when it looked easy for Scotland to score, with Stuart Hogg in space. He also forced Hogg to rush the pass in the 51st minute when they had an overlap deep in Ireland’s 22. His running lines were excellent too, he made 140 metres including almost setting up Conor Murray for a try late in the first half. Man-of-the-match.
Early take in the 2nd minute from a Finn Russell up and under. Unfortunate to knock on near the tryline from a Sexton up-and-under, when Ireland had penalty advantage in the 5th minute. Threw a wild pass in the 16th minute which went way over Jacob Stockdale, which is quite a feat considering the Ulsterman is 6’3”. Came off his wing with regularity, but never made major inroads.
Not played an international since the summer tour of USA and Japan, but it looked like he’d never been away. His ability to step off both feet can get defenders in a twist. He made a fine break in the 26th minute to open up the Scotland defence. Did a Sexton-style wrap around to create the space for Stockdale’s second try on the stroke of half-time. Defensively sound too with 11 tackles.
He had to work alongside his third different centre partner of this year’s Championship and he and Ringrose can be pleased with their afternoon. Held up over the tryline in the 40th minute when he should possibly have let the ball go wide. It didn’t prove costly as Ireland scored afterwards from a scrum advantage, with Stockdale crossing.
He is prolific, the Six Nations top try scorer now has six tries in the Championship. His international record stands at 10 tries in eight internationals. His first was another intercept try in the 22nd minute, he when pounced on Peter Horne’s looped pass. He did well to step inside Blair Kinghorn for his second. Defensively there are still questions, illustrated by missed a tackle on Kinghorn in the 17th minute.
- Jonathan Sexton 7
He left 10 points behind from the tee against Wales, but four from five here, including a tight touchline conversion from Stockdale’s second try. His sole miss was a 66th minute penalty. His kicking from hand here wasn’t at its best, with many of his kicks not contestable and easy for Scotland’s back three to defend. Once again had abrasive running game and is not afraid to take contact.
Sexton fires a word of warning to teammates ahead of England game
- Conor Murray 9
Gregor Townsend picked him out as one of Ireland’s key men and so it proved. Made a break in the 3rd minute off a scrum and played a neat grubber to Keith Earls which was unlucky not to have come off. Scored a 45th minute try, sniping in from close range. His range of skills mark him out as one of the world’s best, only New Zealand’s Aaron Smith is on his level at the moment.
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt targets a Grand Slam
Followed up a fine performance against Wales with another here. Rampaging run in the 7th minute to punch a hole. He was often Ireland’s first receiver, six carries by the 26th minute illustrated this. He was replaced by his clubmate jack McGrath in the 51st minute after a good day’s work.
A few lineouts went awry, the second match in a row that’s happened. His workrate cannot be questioned, nor can his leadership skills – he is one of only two remaining players from the2009 Grand Slam winning side.
Ireland captain looking forward to Twickenham test
The British and Irish Lions tighthead pulled up after three minutes against Italy and missed the Wales game, his deputy Andrew Porter impressed in his absence. Furlong returned and ensured a solid scrum. He popped up for carries and got through his fair share of tackles too.
His 7th cap but he looks born to international rugby. Ireland’s top ball carrier with 15, along with being the top tackler on 13. Fumbled a 9th minute pass backwards and knocked on in the 37th minute, but these are minor aberrations in a fine performance.
Retained his place despite Iain Henderson being back to full fitness. Made a 21st minute break and very useful in the loose. Replaced by Henderson in the 55th minute.
- Peter O’Mahoney 7
The Munster captain penalised for being off his feet to hand Scotland a 12th minute penalty, which Greig Laidlaw slotted over. His strength over the ball was highlighted by his 42nd minute tackle on Blair Kinghorn and turnover.
With Sean O’Brien picking up yet another knock for Leinster last night, Leavy is becoming a key man. Turnover in the 18th minute, when Scotland were attacking in the Irish 22. A general nuisance at the breakdown.
Another solid performance from Ireland’s number eight. His stats continue to impress 14 carries, 12 tackles. He’s a vital cog in the backrow.
The Leinster hooker scored a try in the 68th minute off a rolling maul, his fifth international try. Did all basics right.
A 51st minute substitute for Cian Healy. Won a scrum penalty in the 56th minute, but also gave away a scrum penalty in the 72nd minute. He got through his fair share of work
- Andrew Porter
Came on just after the hour mark for Tadhg Furlong. Once again carried plenty of ball, but the scrum wasn’t as solid. He’s still learning the tighthead trade having switched sides, but it’s been an impressive Six Nations campaign from the 22-year-old.
- Iain Henderson 6
Replaced Toner in the 55th minute, as he made his return from injury. The Ulsterman didn’t look off the pace, but there were no rampaging bursts from him either.
On the bench ahead of Jack Conan. He made a real impact when he came on, very strong in possession, illustrated by a 62nd minute break. Looks a certainty to keep his place in the 23-man squad on the back of that performance.
Left on the bench against Wales, he came on for the last nine minutes of this one. One poor box kick, but his passing was fine.
Replaced Sexton in the 73rd minute with the game already won. Missed tackle in the 77th minute, but apart from that had few issues of note and didn’t make any telling contribution.
A second international appearance, got on for the last five and a half minutes. Not enough time to make an impression or get his hands on the ball.
Comments on RugbyPass
Probably the worst article on a rugby match I have ever read
198 Go to commentsWho hurt this man.. LoL 😭
198 Go to commentsIt unfortunate for the Jaguares that they became formidable just as super rugby as we knew came to an end. However, the idea of bringing them back is nonsensical. While I enjoyed the Jaguares and the South African flavour of the comp, a selling point of this incarnation of super rugby is that all games are on a decent time for an Aussie audience.
2 Go to commentslol that’s your opinion Ben, All Blacks benefited from a forward pass try, SA played 77 min without a recognised hooker, missed a no try conversion and a penalty could have would have but didn’t
198 Go to commentsBrett, from my distant perspective, I hope you get to keep the Rebels. Any ideas of teams from Japan or Argentina are just crazy. Won’t happen. If you look at logistics, it is much easier to get to LA from Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney than to Buenos Aires. All with direct non-stop daily flights. You may even get some “gringos” to watch the games, with some younger players compared to Giteau and Nonu who still “play” in the area. I think it is virtually impossible to get a competitive Argie team for SR. All Pumas are in Europe, almost all second tier players are also in Europe. Fringe players are in South American pro rugby tournament (and many still in the MLR!) but these players who might be most interested in joining a new Jaguares do not have the skills to compete. As I have been saying since the Jaguares joined, they should have had TWO teams to make logistics for visiting teams better and Argie player development improved as well. Jaguares/Pumas was not ideal. But this is where Pichot and his cronies did not think long enough. Further the country with he new president “No hay Plata” Milei is in a very difficult situation. Galperin, the richest man in Argentina owns the Miami franchise of MLR. I don’t think you can get him to invest in Argentina. Actually, he played rugby himself. He was a fly half. He is worth around $6 billion!
2 Go to commentsWell done Baby Boks we will take the Draw. No 9 senseless long passes in those conditions. let’s move on and hope for some good weather
4 Go to commentsHow did it end a draw. South Africa didn’t score any points as far as I can see
4 Go to commentsNo doubt this will be a fantastic occasion and I plan to be there, but I think the bean counters have won out over the rugby brains. In my opinion, it is foolhardy to give the Black Ferns the experience of playing in front of 60,000+ at Twickenham a year before they might be playing there in a World Cup Final. Better to play France at Twickenham and Black Ferns at Kingsholm. The difference in takings would be miniscule.
1 Go to commentsDom kant
198 Go to commentsBen is a little incel desperately trying to stir the pot and stay relevant. We used to get mad at his articles. Now we just feel sorry for him
198 Go to commentsPerhaps we may need to put an asterisk on NZ’s ‘87 WC win since the Boks weren’t there. You know, just as a reminder. Poor Ben Smith. Go cry somewhere else.
198 Go to commentsNz should have won. I didn't watch the game, but the ref was at fault and the bounce of the ball and the Bokke used the Bomb squad and the Bokke slow the game down and the Bokke scrum. They should remove the scrum. The Bokke are to strong. Not fair. Nz should have won
4 Go to commentsThanks for a much more balanced piece Ned and not that BS that Bin Smuth just posted a short while ago. read this article and then Bin Smuth’s and tell me there isn’t a huge difference🙄
4 Go to commentsWere the Baby Boks part of this game or did the Baby Blacks play themselves?🤔 That man Bin Smuth once again does a little write-up on the game and it is like 95% about the Baby Blacks🤣 Glad he ends off with the Baby Blacks were actually in cruise control for most of the game and weren’t actually playing for the win WTF🤣🤣 Maybe he was expecting the Baby Blacks to run rampant….
4 Go to commentsOne does not expect anything more from Ben Smith who epitomises the worst of New Zealand media arrogance and an inability to balance what he has to say about any team that beats the All Blacks. His reference to context is pathetically thin. He does not comment that Frizell deserved a red card given his blatant manipulation of his body to ensure that he could drop his body weight onto Mbonambi’s lower leg. No mention of the ball lost forward before the All Black’s try (lost in-field of the 5 metre line and gathered beyond). The All Black commitment and effort was superb and there was little in it. Given the Springbok passage to the final and the loss of their hooker in the first three minutes, their resolve and capacity to win their fourth final out of eight attempts (not three out of ten) deserves the praise that has been forthcoming from media around the world, worth reading and listening to. Ben should join his “pundit” friends on TV - he would fit in well. This sort of article reduces any credibility Rugby Pass has ever had. Why persist with this sort of nonsense? The man does his country and a rugby blog a disservice.
198 Go to commentsEtzebeth went on to say: “I would never dream of saying that systems stay in place following a change in captain. To say that would be deeply, deeply, disrespectful of Siya. A while back an Irish person told me they would be fine without Sexton, so I’m just responding to that.”
3 Go to commentsClose games are what we want to see…. What a match it was…. I am sure that everyone was drained by the end of it. The reality of it all there has to be a winner and a loser. The fact that we still talking about it is almost 6 months to the day Rugby is the winner.. Asante sana… Here is to 2027 and what it will bring out.
198 Go to commentsIt’s going to be a good game. COYQ
1 Go to comments“Shock”, the guy was casually saying he was just slightly surprised. Nowadays if you say anything it gets taken completely out of context. Calm down everyone.
156 Go to commentsAll I can say after reading this bitter, sour, sad piece is… Thank you very much! This will be read in the change room just before kick off on 31 August…
198 Go to comments