Ireland XV player ratings vs Spain | Leganés 2025

Ireland XV player ratings: A slick and ruthless Ireland XV put Spain to the sword in Leganés, leading 42-10 at half-time before wrapping things up 61-24 off the back of a nine-try effort.

Cullie Tucker’s side mixed precision with flair, while Spain’s spirit and physicality ensured a lively contest throughout.

Here’s how the players rated:

15. Michael Lowry – 8
Buzzed around the backfield and always looked to spark something. Played a key role in two tries before being replaced early in the second half.

14. Robert Baloucoune – 8.5
Two top-class finishes and plenty of zip from the 6’4, 104kg Ulsterman. Took his chances clinically and reminded everyone of his Test-quality pace.

13. Jude Postlethwaite – 8
Strong on both sides of the ball and timed his running lines well. Took his try with confidence after a whip-smart break and pop-pass from Harry Byrne and set up Ben Murphy’s five-pointer with a scorching break up the right flank.

12. Dan Kelly – 7
The Munsterman was steady and composed in midfield. Carried strongly and linked nicely with Byrne and Postletwaite.

11. Shayne Bolton – 8
Full of energy and threat. Set up Milne’s score and later crossed himself. A statement showing from the Connacht man.

10. Harry Byrne – 9
A complete display from the Leinsterman. Eight from eight off the tee, two assists, and controlled the game throughout. His best outing in green for some time, one outrageous 30 metre pass for Baloucoune’s second try standing out.

9. Ben Murphy – 8
Crisp service and plenty of tempo. Sparked the first try with a smart 50:22 and grabbed one himself after the break. Slick stuff.

1. Michael Milne – 7
Carried with real force and finished his try well. Solid at scrum time and contributed plenty in the loose.

2. Tom Stewart – 8
Led brilliantly and [unlike the senior side a couple of hours earlier against Japan] hit his jumpers consistently. Unlucky not to score himself off the back of a strong maul.

3. Tom O’Toole – 7.5
Scrummed strongly and did the graft work up front. Reliable throughout and showed decent handling skills for Paul Boyle’s try just before halftime

4. Evan O’Connell – 7
Made his presence felt at the lineout and in close quarters. A tidy, low-error performance.

5. Darragh Murray – 7.5
Opened the scoring and brought plenty of grunt. Worked hard in defence and at the breakdown.

6. Alex Soroka – 6.5
Busy around the park and effective in contact and a menace at lineout time for the Spanish. A yellow card for a high tackle took some shine off his efforts.

7. Ruadhán Quinn – 7
Combative and mobile. Contributed to the early momentum and never stopped working.

8. Paul Boyle – 8
Excellent support lines and a deserved try before half-time. A driving force from the base of the scrum.

Replacements – 6.5
Limited to 19 points in the second half as a flood of replacements struggled to click as the Spaniards rallied. Wilson finished well for his try, while Usanov and Mangan added bulk. Doak and Forde pulled the strings late on.