Ireland player ratings vs Scotland | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
Ireland player ratings: The men in green just about got over the line in a tense and scrappy game with Gregor Townsend’s Scotland team, who made life incredibly tricky for the would-be Six Nations champions.
Here we rate the Ireland players.
1. Andrew Porter – 8
Made life difficult for Scotland tighthead Zander Fagerson come scrum time, providing a solid platform for Ireland’s attacking forays. His work rate around the park was commendable, contributing significantly in both defence and at the breakdown. His 65th-minute try broke the deadlock.
2. Dan Sheehan – 6
Sheehan’s lineout throws were a little erratic early doors, a crucial area where Ireland usually excels, leading to lost opportunities and turnovers. His ball carrying wasn’t wobbly though and he picked up his 11th try after making the most of goosed Scottish lineout.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 6
Furlong battled in the scrums and popped up with a few carries, even if they were for minimal gains. A couple of nice touches as first receiver and appeared to be rewarded in the 47th minute when he superbly battled past three Scotland defenders, only for the TMO to disallow the try for an apparent fumble. Put in some telling tackles too.
4. Joe McCarthy – 5
A learning experience for McCarthy, who struggled to assert any physical dominance against a Scottish pack that bullied Ireland at times.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7
Beirne was everywhere on his 50th cap, disrupting Scottish possession and showcasing his abilities as a lineout operator. Even in a scrappy team performance, Beirne showed flashes of his brilliance.
6. Peter O’Mahony – 6
A significant improvement on the England game; O’Mahony’s defensive work was tireless. If it is the 34-year-old’s final game for Ireland it was a decent way to sign off.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7.5
Was generally a prickly presence at the breakdown and was instrumental in stifling Scottish momentum. He didn’t have it all his own way, losing a turnover in the Scotland 22 after being pickpocketed by Saracens star Andy Christie on one occasion.
8. Caelan Doris – 6
Doris was one of the few to make any headway against a doughty Scotland pack but even his efforts were stifled by a concerted opposition defence. One of a handful of players at fault for Scotland’s late Huw Jones’ try.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 8
Gibson-Park provided plenty of quick ball, allowing Ireland to maintain their attacking tempo when they did get their hands on the ball. His kicking game was solid and his overall game management was effective, not least considering a lot of Ireland’s kicking load has been placed on his shoulders. Is arguably Ireland’s MVP with Sexton retired.
10. Jack Crowley – 5
Crowley found it difficult to impose himself, with his kicking game and attacking play fluctuating wildly between very good and pretty average. Again, his decision-making was questionable, especially in Scotland’s 22.
11. James Lowe – 7
The victim of an early Scottish charge down, Lowe was kept relatively well contained by Scotland’s kick-chase game, with limited opportunities to showcase his power and finishing skills. Ireland’s over-reliance on his kicking game might be an area Farrell looks to address in the aftermath of this campaign.
12. Bundee Aki – 7.5
Did a phenomenal job shutting down Duhan van der Merwe every time he popped up in midfield. Was his usual battering ram self in the centre, providing go forward ball and solidifying the midfield defence. Fell off a tackle on Stafford McDowell on one occasion though, allowing Scotland to gain valuable territory.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 6
Henshaw was solid defensively but lacked his usual influence in attack, even if he was a relentless carrier for Ireland. Still, he stayed in the fight and brought a huge amount of dog to Ireland’s midfield. His missed tackle on Huw Jones led to a nervy ending to the game.
14. Calvin Nash – 7
Nash showed glimpses of his pace and skill, proving to be a handful for the Scottish defence. A promising performance from the rookie Munster winger, who proved an able deputy for Mack Hansen across the tournament.
15. Jordan Larmour – 6
A late replacement for Hugo Keenan, Larmour’s counter-attacking panache was lesser spotted on this occasion. Was surprisingly solid under the high ball until a glaring knock-on in the 61st sullied his copybook but by no means a poor performance.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Ronan Kelleher – 7
Kelleher’s impact off the bench was immediate, with accurate throwing at the lineouts and aggressive play in the loose.
17. Cian Healy – 6
He made his presence felt on the pitch with crucial contributions at set piece.
18. Finlay Bealham – 6
Bealham entered the fray with vigour, holding up the scrum well and proving effective in tight exchanges. His contributions in the set-piece ensured Ireland maintained their dominance up front.
19. Ryan Baird – 6
Baird’s athleticism and energy were evident as he replaced tired legs in the second row.
20. Jack Conan – 6
Conan made a notable impact with his strong carries and defensive work.
21. Conor Murray – 6
After copping a lot of flak during the week, Murray’s experience and game management were key in controlling the pace of the game late on as Ireland bid to close it out.
22. Harry Byrne – 5
Coming on in a high-pressure situation, Byrne appeared to settle in quickly, until he copped a yellow card for a sloppy effort.
23. Garry Ringrose – 5
Ringrose brought plenty of energy, but a knock-on off an unsympathetic pass with the Scottish line beckoning will have stung. Understandably he was a bit off given he was trying to shake off several weeks worth of ring rust if you’ll excuse the pun.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments