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Ireland player ratings vs Scotland | 2026 Guinness Men's Six Nations
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Ireland player ratings vs Scotland | 2026 Guinness Men's Six Nations
By Ian Cameron at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Ireland player ratings: If ever there was a Six Nations litmus Test for where Andy Farrell’s team were at, this match with a confident and gung-ho Scotland was it.
It threatened to be a real thriller in the opening 20 minutes, both sides scoring back-to-back before Ireland started to exert some control on the visitors, finishing it out 43-21 winners, which was a fair reflection of the contest, bar a Scottish purple patch in the second-half.
Triple Crown in the bag, Farrell’s men march on to the Nations Championship in decent fettle.
Here’s our Ireland player ratings:
1. Tom O’Toole – 7
After a very respectable showing against Wales on the loosehead, the Drogheda man again showed his versatility against the formidable Zander Fagerson. Tackled his face off, too.
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2. Dan Sheehan – 7.5
Sheehan’s Six Nations to date has been maybe a tad below his usually lofty standards, but he was back in the starting saddle for this one. Took his try on eleven minutes with an explosive split from a catch and drive maul on Scotland’s line.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 8.5
Won the first scrum penalty to the surprise and delight of the Aviva crowd and directly led to Ireland’s first try and his set-piece went on to be uncharacteristically excellent at scrum time after that. Was a major nuisance in the loose too and saved Balacoune from touch just before half-time. One of Furlong’s finest performances in a long, long while.
4. Joe McCarthy – 7
Some big carries and big tackles from Big Joe, who was the vanguard on an Irish pack that edged the physical battle with the Scots. Was certainly in the wars.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 8
A great steal on Zander Fagerson in the 31st minute, effectively repelling a Scottish attack. Cut open on 50 minutes with a nasty gash to the face and went off on a blood sub. A might turnover on 77 minutes capped off a fine game.
6. Jack Conan – 6
After his massive shift against Wales, Conan wasn’t quite as impactful here. Kept relatively quiet in the first forty and knocked on just before the break. His second-half was workmanlike too.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7
Made it his personal mission to single-handedly slow down Scotland’s ruck speed and did so at an obscene number of breakdowns. Asked to carry on a number of occasions in heavy traffic, although he was pickpocketed by Rory Darge in the 26th minute. Led Ireland’s tackle count for most of the match before being replaced by Nick Timoney.
8. Caelan Doris – 8
Made repeated dents in the Scots wall. His ability to make metres off slow ball is quite simply gold dust at Test level and a weapon Ireland repeatedly lean on when they run out of ideas in attack. Missed a tackle on Finn Russell but got away with it.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 6.5
His kicking was excellent out of hand but his defence was far from ideal. Couldn’t do much to stop Darcy Graham on his way over in the corner after Ireland got caught short and Russell benefited off his soft inside shoulder to plough over on 52 minutes.
10. Jack Crowley – 7.5
Made a nice half-break but lost the ball in contact; to open his account and put Jamie Osborne in a few minutes later. His kicking, which has been the real issue for the Munsterman this campaign, was certainly passable – both out of hand and at the sticks. Deserves huge credit for how slick Ireland’s attack looked. Has won the No.10 debate, for now at least.
11. Tommy O’Brien – 8
Another returnee after Jacob Stockdale turn against the Welsh, O’Brien bravely challenged in the air, although the returns were questionable on that front. Had one or two iffy moments covering back too and the game was threatnening to pass him by before he ran cut a line off Frawley to make it a two-score game on 68 minutes. Sprinted his way to another just before full-time. He knows his way to the try line, that’s for damn sure.
12. Stuart McCloskey – 8
Made a huge ball and all tackle that wrecked one early Scotland and threw a superb pass to give Balcoucoune the opportunity to finish Ireland’s third try. It was a performance equal parts brute, equal parts playmaker.
13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Dived on a loose ball that relieved the threat of a promising blue attack thanks to McCloskey’s aforementioned hit. A return to form and much tidier performance here, even if he didn’t offer a huge amount in attack. Missed a tackle on Graham but that’s hardly fair. Played his guts out.
14. Robert Baloucoune – 6.5
Had his hands full against the more experienced Kyle Steyn and got caught in no man’s land thanks to a superb Russell pass in the seventh minute in the lead up to Scotland’s first try. More than made up for with first class finish on 19 minutes, beating Graham to finish in the corner. But his poor defensive positioning and wobbly moments would cost Ireland repeatedly, not least for Darge’s try. He’s had a fantastic Six Nations but this was the proverbial mixed bag.
15. Jamie Osborne – 7.5
Wrapped an up and down Six Nations campaign with a very decent turn here. Under the posts and on the scoreboard after just three minutes, after cutting the perfect line. The jury is still out on whether or not he’s done enough to take up residence in the 15 jersey when Hugo Keenan returns to full fitness.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Ronan Kelleher – 6
Offered his usual dependable and very competent self off the bench.
17. Michael Milne – 6
Might feel miffed not to have grabbed a start at loosehead given the raft of injuries in the position. Not much time to shine here.
18. Finlay Bealham – 6
Didn’t have too many set-pieces to contend with. Kept his nose clean.
19. Darragh Murray – 8
A late call-up after James Ryan’s midweek pull-out, he came on as a blood sub for Beirne. Smashed his way over to re-establish a bit of daylight on 56 minutes. Got a charge down too. What a cameo.
20. Nick Timoney – 6.5
Controlled aggression.
21. Craig Casey – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
22. Ciaran Frawley – 7.5
Brought a bit of urgency off the bench and put O’Brien away for his try.
23. Bundee Aki – 6
Straight back into the matchday 23 after his ban, he got a great Aviva welcome when he came on. Trucked it a few times.
