Ireland player ratings vs England | 2026 Guinness Men's Six Nations

Ireland player ratings: 42-21 at Twickenham, Ireland ripped up the script inside 20 minutes and never really handed it back. England were rattled, scrambled and ultimately shredded in a helter-skelter first half that will live long in Six Nations folklore. The defence was ferocious, the attack finally found clarity and cohesion, and even when England enjoyed a brief purple patch after the break, the visitors responded with control and bite.

Even referee Andrea Piardi could not escape the chaos, forced off injured after 29 minutes in a bizarre subplot to one of Ireland’s most complete championship performances.

Here’s our Ireland player ratings:

1. Jeremy Loughman – 6
Carrying remains his strongest suit and he was asked to lug it up repeatedly. Sometimes he made ground, sometimes he was shunted backwards. Penalised at the second scrum and under pressure from the outset. Survived the battle and got through 46 minutes before being hooked.

2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5
Fortunate to retain the nod given a so-so campaign to date and he fell off an early tackle on Steward. But his defensive shift in the first half was impressive and he rediscovered his carrying punch after the break. Took his bonus-point try on 42 minutes and looked far more like himself in the second forty.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 5.5
Under pressure again at scrum time, Ellis Genge targeting him from the off. Used every trick in the book to muddy perceptions and somehow the scrum battle was survived. Contributed in the loose with a handful of decent carries but the set-piece struggles remain. Replaced at 46.

4. Joe McCarthy – 8
Excellent. Pick-pocketed the English pack on seven minutes and set the tone physically. Got in amongst it at every ruck and maul and brought genuine edge. A return to form and then some.

5. James Ryan – 8
Industrious and authoritative throughout. The reason Beirne shifted to the back-row and justified that reshuffle with a relentless defensive shift and sharp lineout work. Got through the hard graft in tight and brought leadership to a ferocious first-half display.

6. Tadhg Beirne – 8.5
Moved to blindside to accommodate Ryan and was colossal. A huge steal on 37 minutes with England camped on the line. Later held up Ford in a maul and turned it over again. Breakdown menace throughout and central to strangling England’s momentum.

7. Josh van der Flier – 7.5
Met the Curry, Earl and Pollock axis head-on and did not blink. Produced an extraordinary break on 29 minutes that sent Twickenham into a murmur. Big carries, high work rate, replaced on 49 after a full-blooded shift.

8. Caelan Doris – 8
Heavy, heavy carries that scattered English defenders. His break just after half-time seemed to surprise even him given the non-existent cover. Dominant in contact and quietly authoritative in a game that required composure.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 9
At the core of this exceptional performance. Sniping holes early, bursting through on 20 minutes for a deserved try and dictating tempo throughout. His recycle and delivery for Baloucoune’s score was sharp and instinctive. Dragged Ireland into wild form and emptied the tank before departing on 71.

10. Jack Crowley – 7
Out to prove a point in his first Six Nations start in over a year and largely did. Managed the game well in a chaotic opening half, mixed his options smartly and played a key role in Ireland’s attacking fluency. His assist for Osborne’s try was sharp and instinctive. The goal-kicking radar wobbled at times and a few tackles slipped, but overall this was a composed, assured return to the Six Nations stage.

11. James Lowe – 5
Fumbled promising possession on the flank and then injured on 18 minutes after kicking clear while hurt. A tough afternoon cut short.

12. Stuart McCloskey – 8.5
Started with a violent 10-metre carry and never really stopped. Threw an intercept when Ireland had a two-man overlap, which dents the mark, but his break soon after nearly produced a solo finish. Smashed Lawrence on 51 minutes and later hunted down Marcus Smith on an intercept. Immense.

13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Hands full with Ollie Lawrence and took an early bang to the leg. Scrambled gamely and fought for everything before being replaced on 54 minutes. A grafting display rather than a headline act.

14. Robert Baloucoune – 8.5
Playing with real belief after Italy and determined to own the jersey. Huge defensive shot on 12 minutes, dummy and break before TOB’s try and relentless threat on the outside of Arundell. Finished sharply and was instrumental in Ireland’s attacking rhythm.

15. Jamie Osborne – 6.5
Poor early kick straight to Freddie Steward and mediocre in the air initially. Yellow card on 53 minutes put Ireland under strain. But improved in the second half and produced a superb solo try on 69 minutes full of pace, footwork and strength. A mixed but ultimately fruitful afternoon.

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher – 6.5
On at 55 and solid. No frills, no fuss.

17. Tom O’Toole – 6
A natural tighthead again covering loosehead due to injuries. Scrummaged gamely out of position and held reasonably firm enough.

18. Finlay Bealham – 5.5
Gave away a penalty for playing the ball on the ground and scrummaging looked fragile. Added some value in contact but far from dominant.

19. Nick Timoney – 7
Brought directness and no-nonsense physicality. Fell off one tackle on Pollock but largely impactful in collisions.

20. Cian Prendergast – 7
A late call-up for Jack Conan, kept his nose clean with a steady display.

21. Craig Casey – NA
Not on long enough to fairly rate but injected fresh energy after Gibson-Park’s departure.

22. Ciaran Frawley – 6
Ireland’s Swiss Army knife came on amid England’s mini resurgence and slotted in calmly.

23. Tommy O’Brien – 8.5
On early for Lowe and immediately electric. Half-break off Baloucoune that led to Gibson-Park’s try and then burned the cover for Ireland’s third. Clinical and fearless.