Ireland player ratings versus Scotland
Ireland’s World Cup campaign is up and running and we have the player ratings from their superb 27-3 win against Scotland in Yokohama.
The win sets Ireland up as likely Pool A winners, with games against Japan, Russia and Samoa still to come, and with Ireland looking back to their best the talk will now focus on how far they can go in Japan.
15. JORDAN LARMOUR – 8
Electric feet and made some runs that lit up the stadium. Brilliant turnover penalty and did well under the high ball.
14. ANDREW CONWAY – 8
Full of energy, typified by kick and chase that forced Stuart Hogg back over his own line in first half. Injury opened the door for him here and he made the most of his opportunity with a superbly taken try.
13. GARRY RINGROSE – 7
Quiet by his standards going forward, but his contribution in defence was immense.
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12. BUNDEE AKI – 6
Early turnover and great work at the breakdown, but evening was cut short by injury.
11. JACOB STOCKDALE – 7
Wasn’t as involved as he would like going forward, but a solid shift, including a perfectly timed tackle on Stuart Hogg to kill Scotland attack in first half, and a few kick and chase attempts which just didn’t fall his way.
10. JOHNNY SEXTON – 6.5
Missed conversion attempt and required plenty of treatment in first half, which saw him pass kicking duties to Murray. Defended well but not as involved in attack as usual.
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9. CONOR MURRAY – 7.5
Took over place-kicking duties after Sexton required treatment, scoring one of three conversion attempts. Passing was excellent in difficult conditions and mixed up approach when necessary.
1. CIAN HEALY – 7.5
Another big performance from a player who has become so important for Joe Schmidt. Scrummaged well and was played his role going forward too.
2. RORY BEST – 8
Rolled back the years to score Ireland’s second try, doing really well to wiggle his way over the line. Answered his critics after a difficult few months, with 12/12 success rate from the lineout. Played full 80 minutes at 37 years of age.
An impressive 80 minute performance from @IrishRugby ?
Rory Best leaves the field feeling positive – “We’re delighted with that win.” #RWC2019 #IREvSCO #RWCYokohama pic.twitter.com/Ya6KRfEkHN
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3. TADHG FURLONG – 8
Scored Ireland’s third try. Looked back to his powerful best. Not only is Furlong excellent in the scrum, he’s a real threat with ball in hand.
4. IAIN HENDERSON – 7.5
Massive carry in the lead up to Ireland’s first try and led the charge as Ireland’s forwards beat up Scotland in the opening stages. Real presence and industry.
5. JAMES RYAN – 8
The most reliable player on this Ireland team. Pops up everywhere on the pitch and rarely puts a foot wrong. Scored Ireland’s opening try.
6. PETER O’MAHONY – 6
Forced off with injury after just 27 minutes. Had been central to much of Ireland’s play beforehand.
7. JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 8
Super workrate, as is standard for the Leinster flanker. A big performance with some crucial tackles as Scotland tried to find a way back into the game in the second half.
8. CJ STANDER – 7.5
A massive shift. His security on the ball is the reason he’s remained Ireland’s first choice No 8. Equally reliable in defence, but conceded penalty for going off his feet.
Replacements
16. NIALL SCANNELL – 6
Had to slot into the back row but equipped himself well in a messy end to the game.
17. DAVE KILCOYNE – 6
A standout performer in Ireland’s warm-up fixtures but didn’t get the opportunity to show that here.
18. ANDREW PORTER- 7
Scrummaged well in tough conditions, and ensured the power stayed in the Irish pack as Schmidt rang the changes.
19. TADHG BEIRNE- 6
Yellow carded after going off his feet, which could have been costly.
20. JACK CONAN – 8
Penalty for not rolling away only real blot on an excellent evening’s work. There have been calls to include Conan in starting team for some time now and he showed why here.
21. LUKE McGRATH – 7
Has come a long way to make the World Cup squad ahead of Kieran Marmion, and he repaid Schmidt’s faith here.
22. JACK CARTY – 7
Solid kick to touch to ease himself into the game, and followed it up with a lovely kick to Chris Farrell. Confident performance. Kicked one conversion.
23. CHRIS FARRELL – 7.5
Had a big impact on the game after replacing Aki. Defensively solid, made some brilliant runs and showcased his superb soft hands in attack.
RugbyPass at Ireland v Scotland
Comments on RugbyPass
A Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
103 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
5 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
5 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
5 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
103 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
103 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
103 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
103 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
103 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
103 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
103 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
103 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to comments