Ireland player ratings v Scotland | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

Ireland will want each of their games to be played at the Aviva Stadium moving forward.

In their Round 5 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash against Scotland, Scott Bemand’s side picked up a devastating 54-5 win over their visitors to Dublin.

A rip-roaring first half saw 47 of the hosts’ points registered before the break. The new home record attendance of 31,294 were purring during the 15-minute interval, before a much more stoic second half began.

Supporters saw Brittany Hogan’s score converted in that second half, while Aicha Sutcliffe’s 86th minute effort was Scotland’s only source of comfort in the contest.

Here are how Ireland’s players rated on a memorable afternoon in Dublin…

15. Stacey Flood – 8

Dublin-born Flood was raised not too far from the Aviva Stadium. It will come as little surprise that the 29-year-old was up for this clash with Scotland. She scored a try in the 35th minute, finished it well too, and also showed some relentlessness in defence too. A lot to like.

14. Béibhinn Parsons – 5

It was not really Béibhinn Parsons’ afternoon. There were a couple of line breaks from the wing. A little bit of sparkle. But it never really led to much outside of that. Even so, four tries this Championship is not to be sniffed at and a full flight Parsons is a true joy to behold.

13. Aoife Dalton – 7

A really bright afternoon for Aoife Dalton in the Ireland midfield. As a lot have come to expect, Dalton flitted between attacking and defensive responsibilities with ease. Ireland’s backs were not the star attraction on Sunday but there was still a lot of good that came from the backline.

12. Eve Higgins – 6

A quieter afternoon from Eve Higgins than her outing against Wales last week. Even so, Higgins was lively in attack and as staunch as ever when Ireland were under the pump late on as Scotland desperately dragged themselves towards the Ireland try line.

11. Robyn O’Connor – 8

Undoubtedly Robyn O’Connor’s finest outing in an Ireland shirt on the occasion of the 20-year-old’s fourth Ireland cap. She was bright to score a try in the seventh minute and was proved her weight in gold in defence. It has been a rapid rise for the wing this season and you can expect much more from O’Connor.

10. Dannah O’Brien – 9

Perhaps Dannah O’Brien’s most accomplished performance for Ireland. The 22-year-old’s kicking from hand was on the money and we saw the fly-half nail six of her five first-half conversions. The comfort of O’Brien in Ireland’s backline right now is something to behold. Her dictation of tempo and range of passing makes her a difficult player to contend with.

9. Emily Lane – 6

There was absolutely nothing poor about Emily Lane’s efforts in Dublin, there was just a lack of fireworks when compared to some of her teammates. What you always get from Lane is consistency and a steady platform that her team can attack from. Consistency is one of those hard things to come by. Lane has plenty of it.

1. Ellena Perry – 6

A really solid outing from the loosehead prop who, in tandem with her prop partner Linda Djougang, started a fifth Women’s Six Nations match in a row. Perry’s reliability at the set piece and in defence has proved to be a difference maker for the Ireland front-row.

2. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald – 9

It was like someone had waved a red rag in front of Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald ahead of this game. In the first half the hooker was bouncing off players for fun, got a try and was instrumental in getting up Aoife Wafer’s second. Even if the 32-year-old was subbed off in the 49th minute, it was a well-earned rest for Moloney-MacDonald.

3. Linda Djougang – 6

Much like Ellena Perry, Linda Djougang did not make a single misstep for Ireland during her 49 minutes on the pitch. Being able to start five Women’s Six Nations matches in a row, but consistent selections can drive teams to the next level. Including this Ireland group.

4. Sam Monaghan – 6

A quieter afternoon for Sam Monaghan in her sole start of this year’s Women’s Six Nations. The 32-year-old was on the pitch for 49 minutes as Ireland ran riot in the first half. Honestly, Monaghan did nothing really wrong, she provided a sturdy base as others shone.

5. Fiona Tuite – 6

Much of Sam Monaghan’s feedback can probably be applied to Fiona Tuite too. A starter in all five of Ireland’s matches at this Championship, the 29-year-old does everything well and at an extremely high standard for her country. It is an admirable skillset and one that makes her irreplaceable at this moment in time.

6. Brittany Hogan – 8

Throughout the Championship, Brittany Hogan has been Ireland’s unsung hero. The back-row – along with Erin King and Aoife Wafer – has started every match and on Lansdowne Road scored two tries to rack up the points against a sorry Scotland side. That is before you consider the well-rounded game that the Sale Sharks forward is able to consistently display.

7. Erin King – 8

A real captain’s performance from minute one to 80 from Erin King. Before kick-off we saw the 22-year-old beaming as she sang Ireland’s Call at the Aviva Stadium. Then, when the first whistle blew, we got another all-action performance from the back-row. Turnovers, carries and tackles. That’s what King offers in bucketloads.

8. Aoife Wafer – 9

That was something else. It really was. Aoife Wafer has established herself as completely world-class at this Women’s Six Nations and, just to highlighter her prowess on the pitch, the 23-year-old was everywhere for Ireland. By the 38-minute mark the No.8 had two tries, consistently found weak Scottish shoulders and was absolutely relentless around the Aviva Stadium turf. Next level.

Replacements

16. Neve Jones – 6

One of six changes Scott Bemand made in the 49th minute, Jones came on and helped Ireland see out this game.

17. Sadhbh McGrath – 5

 

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Much like all the players that made it onto the pitch in the 49th minute, Sadhbh McGrath did not have a huge impact on things. The game was effectively done and it was just a case of seeing things through.

18. Eilís Cahill – 6

A good cameo off the bench from Eilís Cahill. Ewally solid scrummaging and some bright moments in defence from the 24-year-old.

19. Dorothy Wall – 6

Led the lineout extremely well from her introduction on the 49th minute. There was not enough bite in the contest for Dorothy Wall to really take the game by the scruff of the neck and make her presence known.

20. Ruth Campbell – 6

Nothing overly special came from Ruth Campbell’s 31 minutes on the Aviva Stadium turf. Has been an up and down tournament from the 22-year-old generally, but there was absolutely nothing to be disappointed about on Sunday.

21. Katie Whelan – 5

Emily Lane is always a tough act to follow. Katie Whelan is developing a reputation as Ireland’s chief steadier of the ship at scrum-half and did the same today.

22. Vicky Elmes Kinlan – 7

Possibly the best Ireland performance from the bench. Vicky Elmes Kinlan grabbed an impressive turnover to keep pressure on Scotland in the final 10 minutes and stopped Rhona Lloyd scoring a try with the clock in the red.

23. Niamh Gallagher – 5

Winning your second cap at the Aviva Stadium should absolutely be seen as a ‘pinch me’ moment. Niamh Gallagher got 20 minutes on the pitch and helped Ireland see out the contest.