Player Ratings: Irish dominance
OPINION: Ireland have beaten Wales 29 – 7 in their opening Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s men collected a try-scoring bonus point 20 minutes from time through a stylish score by the outstanding Ringrose, and Wales had been emphatically brushed aside.
Ireland boss Andy Farrell and his Wales counterpart Wayne Pivac began ringing the changes, and there was no let-up from the home side on a dominant display.
Rugbypass rates the Ireland players
HUGEO KEENAN – 8/10
Marked his 17th consecutive Test start with a faultless display.
ANDREW CONWAY – 8
Produced two clinical second-half finishes to take the game away from the outclassed visitors.
GARRY RINGROSE – 8
Scored arguably the try of the game and was a constant thorn in Wales’ side.
BUNDEE AKI – 8
Justified his selection ahead of Robbie Henshaw with the early opening try. A battering ram.
MACK HANSEN- 8
Named man of the match in the stadium on a convincing start at Test level, which included an assist.
JOHNNY SEXTON – 7
Squandered a couple of kicks in blustery conditions but drove the hosts on.
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK – 7
Lively and kept the ball moving quickly to keep Wales constantly occupied.
ANDREW PORTER – 9
Immense all afternoon, with some crucial contributions in the scrum.
RONAN KELLEHER – 8
Part of an imposing forward pack which picked up where it left off in the autumn.
TADHG FURLONG – 9
Outstanding once again to emphasise his status as arguably the world’s finest tighthead.
TADHG BEIRNE – 8
The Munster second row quietly goes about his business but was once again exceptional.
JAMES RYAN- 8
A menace to Wales’ defence and kept the hosts on top at the line-out.
CALEAN DORIS – 8
Wreaked havoc almost every time he touched the ball to underline his burgeoning reputation.
JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 8
Another hard-working afternoon for the flank to keep his side in the ascendancy.
JACK CONAN – 8
Continues to be a revelation since returning to the Test arena 12 months ago.
REPLACEMENTS- 7
Andy Farrell’s substitutes were solid but not required to change the course of a one-sided contest.
