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Ireland won a third Grand Slam in their history with a 24-15 win over England on St. Patrick’s Day. It was their first victory at Twickenham since 2010. Not since 1972 that Ireland have won away against both England and France in a Championship.
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Ireland player ratings:
15. Rob Kearney 8
Man-of-the-match against Scotland. Excellent chase to put pressure on Anthony Watson for the game’s opening try. A composed presence at the back, his positioning was excellent as ever, fielding whatever came his way from Owen Farrell. He was also a threat with the ball in hand.
14. Keith Earls 7
He was penalised for diving-in in the 9th minute, but England surprisingly went for the corner from a very kickable penalty and it didn’t prove costly. Farrell chipped in behind Earls for Elliot Daly to score, but with Ireland a man down they were stretched. The Munster winger pulled off an excellent tap tackle on Daly in the 44th minute and stopped what surely would have been a try. Went off late on with an injury.
13. Garry Ringrose 7
His third match back after injury and a sixth minute try scorer, pouncing on a loose ball after Anthony Watson failed to gather an up-and-under. Defensively sound alongside Aki and his battle scars post-match showed as such.
12. Bundee Aki 7
The Connacht centre fumbled in the 17th minute when Ireland had a good attacking opportunity down the left wing. He made a fine break and showed good awareness to put pick out CJ Stander for Ireland’s second try. Perhaps lucky not to be sinbinned after leading with the shoulder when tackling Elliot Daly in the 26th minute. Picked up an injury in the 54th minute to end his game.
11. Jacob Stockdale 8
The first man ever to score seven tries in a Six Nations. He gathered his chip ahead to score on the stroke of half-time. His international record now stands at 11 tries in nine appearances. Rory Best highlighted pre-match that he’s not the finished article and his fielding of kicks, along with tackling, are areas to work on – a missed tackle on Jonny May in the 76th minute was just one illustration of this.
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10. Jonathan Sexton 7
A sixth minute up-and-under that gave Rob Kearney a chance to compete with Anthony Watson, which forced the error and the games opening try. Missed a 23rd minute penalty when it struck the post. Left the field for a HIA in the 34th minute. The outhalf had taken his fair share of contact and he went off in the 66th minute due to “fatigue” according to Joe Schmidt.
9. Conor Murray 8
Snaffled an England overthrow at the lineout on the half hour when Ireland were under huge pressure. Kicked a 59th minute penalty. Marshalled his backline brilliantly, his box kicking was accurate. He is arguably just as important as Sexton to Ireland and Joe Schmidt described him as “immense”.
1. Cian Healy 7
Part of a resilient pack performance. Didn’t get a chance to get his hands on the ball as much as he did against Wales and Scotland. He was replaced by his clubmate Jack McGrath in the 51st minute after a good day’s work.
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2. Rory Best 7
One of only two remaining players from the 2009 Grand Slam winning side. The Irish captain was solid at the set piece, notably at the lineout, hitting his jumpers each time.
3. Tadhg Furlong 10
The British and Irish Lions tighthead got though an unbelievable amount of wok, often first to hit rucks and mauls. His numbers were hugely impressive, 14 tackles and 12 carries. Deservedly the man-of-the-match and it was hard to find fault with his performance.
4. James Ryan 9
He was Ireland’s top ball carrier against Scotland and the Leinster man was once again to the fore here too with 13 tackles and 10 carries. Has been quite outstanding in this Six Nations. Comparisons with Paul O’Connell have emerged, he’s not quite there yet, but at just 21-years-old he’s a frightening prospect.
5. Iain Henderson 9
The Ulsterman showed his strength in the 38th minute strangling an England rolling maul on the edge of Ireland’s 22 to earn an Ireland scrum. England had been exerting an extended period of pressure and it was a key moment, not long afterwards Stockdale scored Ireland’s third try. Joe Schmidt is a lover of stats and his 15 tackles are an impressive total. Completely vindicated his selection ahead of Toner.
6. Peter O’Mahoney 7
The Munster captain was sin binned in the 29th minute for bringing a rolling maul down as England looked set to score after incessant pressure on the Irish line. Part of a huge physical effort against a robust English pack.
7. Dan Leavy 9
Has become a thorn in opposition sides at the breakdown. Ireland’s top tackler with 16 and hugely impressive around the park with 11 carries.
8. CJ Stander 9
On Aki’s shoulder to score in the 24th minute for his eighth international try, touching down at the post. Ireland’s leading ball carrier with a monstrous 23 carries, gaining 41 metres.
16. Sean Cronin 6
The Leinster hooker came on with 15 minutes to go, the lineout and scrum all remained solid platforms for Ireland.
17. Jack McGrath 7
A 51st minute substitute for Cian Healy. He fared well at scrum time and fronted up in a big defensive effort.
18. Andrew Porter 7
Came on in the 65th for Tadhg Furlong. Porter has really made an impression in this championship and has shown Ireland have a strong alternative at tighthead.
19. Devin Toner 7
Lost his place to Iain Henderson, but certainly a good and experienced option from the bench.
20. Jordi Murphy 6
Came on with six minutes to go, the Leinster man didn’t really have long enough to make a notable impact.
21. Kieran Marmion 6
A 74th minute sub for Keith Earls. It’s not the first time that the scrum half has played for Ireland on the wing and held his own once again when out of position.
22. Joey Carbery 7
Replaced Sexton in the 34th minute for a HIA. Kicked the conversion just before half-time after Stockdale’s try. Came on in the 66th minute for Sexton and has shown he’s very much capable of closing a game out. Missed a 71st minute penalty, which would have put a 17-point gap between the sides.
23. Jordan Larmour 7
A third international appearance and in the centre this time, in place of the injured Bundee Aki who came off in the 55th minute. Showed his dancing feet in the 58th minute to make a break, but he should have passed to Keith Earls when a try looked to be on.
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments