Ireland vs Wales: Ireland player ratings
Despite having 69% possession Ireland struggled to put Wales away in their Natwest 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. A Jacob Stockdale intercept with the clock in the red wrapped up a 37-27 win for Joe Schmidt’s side, to keep them on track for the Grand Slam.
Ireland player ratings:
Said Dan Biggar’s cues were easier to read in the build-up to this match, however he lost aerial duels with the Wales fly half in the 29th minute and in the 62nd minute – the second was in the build-up to the Aaron Shingler try. A 42nd minute attempted drop kick didn’t quite match Johnny Sexton’s heroics in Paris – not one he’ll want to see again. A nice break in the lead-up to Dan Leavy’s 44th minute try.
Unfortunate to knock on a kick off routine after Wales’ first try. Wonderful incisive run in the 33rd minute to carve open the Wales defence. His pace was very much evident in a 58th minute break and very unlucky not to come up with a score. Taken off as a precaution in the 64th minute with muscle cramp.
After playing twice in November this was his Six Nations debut, replacing the injured Robbie Henshaw. A big hit on Leigh Halfpenny in the first 20 seconds settled his nerves and he was not found wanting in defence all day. Showed his acrobatics to leap high and claim the restart after Wales’ opening penalty. Carried forcefully, constantly punching holes – an excellent performance.
Accidental offside for Wales’ opening penalty. Also spilled a ball in Wales’ 22 in the 10th minute with Ireland having a good attacking platform. Penalised for blocking in the 25th minute to hand Wales’ second penalty. He didn’t let those disappointments affect him however. He showed his power and finishing ability with a brilliant one-handed reach to score on the stroke of half-time. Solid defensively, combined well with Farrell.
- Jacob Stockdale 8
Six tries in six internationals before this one. Made it seven in seven early on. Knocked on in the 23rd minute when attempting a fingertip catch, but he took a couple of high balls after that before half time. Scored the crucial intercept try with the clock in the red. He is now the Six Nations top try scorer with four.
Jacob Stockdale speaks to RugbyPass about being the Six Nations top try scorer
- Jonathan Sexton 6
Warren Gatland spoke before the match that disrupting Sexton and Murray was crucial to success and this was far from a vintage performance from the Leinster man. He missed a penalty directly in front of the posts in the 5th minute when it came off the post and that set the tone from the tee, he missed four kicks in total. His running game was fine, including a sensational skip pass for Jacob Stockdale’s 6th minute try.
Joe Schmidt on defensive over Johnny Sexton’s performance
Did excellently to juggle Keith Earls pass in the leadup to the Dan Leavy try. Service to Sexton faultless. His box kicking wasn’t to his usual standard, with a few over-cooked. Stepped up to kick Ireland’s final penalty to give them the 10-point advantage they needed.
A couple of good carries in the opening 20 minutes, making himself the first receiver. Continued that throughout. One of his finest performances in an Ireland shirt. Got a 54th minute try that his performance deserved. Came off in the 65th minute for Jack McGrath. Man-of-the-match.
Had a couple of lineouts to the tail stolen which will annoy him, but his usual industrious self in the loose. There in support for Dan Leavy’s early second half try.
Replaced Tadhg Furlong after three minutes against Italy, this was his first Six Nations start. Handled his duel with Rob Evans admirably and also got through his fair share of ball carrying. An able deputy for Furlong and rightly praised by Joe Schmidt in the aftermath.
Another singled out by Joe Schmidt in his post-match press conference. A big hit on Gareth Davies in the 16th minute illustrated his line speed and workrate. His mobility around the park meant Iain Henderson’s absence wasn’t keenly felt.
Ireland’s go-to man in the lineout, but also one of his better performances in the loose.
- Peter O’Mahoney 7
Won a penalty in the 14th minute off a turnover, one which Sexton failed to convert. One of the players who was key to Ireland winning the breakdown battle.
- Dan Leavy 9
A constant menace in the breakdown winning a multitude of turnovers. A try scorer in the 45th minute, his third try in seven appearances. Ireland’s top tackler, with 12, a near faultless display.
Another solid performance from Ireland’s number eight. Gave away a 79th minute penalty in Wales’ 22 to help them gain better field position as they chased a winning try, but thankfully for the Munster man it didn’t prove costly.
10 minutes isn’t long to make an impression, but part of a front row that won a crucial late penalty.
A 65th minute substitute for Cian Healy and continued where his clubmate left off with a few carries. Loosehead an area of real strength for Ireland.
A 67th minute substitute for Andrew Porter. Won a scrum penalty in the 75th minute, to help stretch Ireland’s lead to 10 points.
Replaced Toner, nothing of note in the debit or credit ledger.
Replaced O’Mahony and did nothing wrong.
- Kieran Marmion N/A
Left on the bench and probably best too as his game management was poor in the closing stages against Italy.
Replaced Sexton with three minutes to go. Kicked the final conversion.
A 65th minute sub for the Keith Earls. Absent for Steff Evans’ try.
Warren Gatland gives rare post-match apology to Joe Schmidt
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments