Player Ratings: Ireland

OPINION: Ireland player ratings: Ireland made it hard on themselves, securing a narrow 22-17 win over Italy in Rome that ended their Six Nations on more of a whimper than a high note.

Here’s how we rated the players:

Andrew Porter – 7
Took on Danilo Fischetti with real heft in the scrum, never backing down in the tight exchanges. He also carried well in the loose, driving Irish momentum.

Dan Sheehan – 9
A busy afternoon around the park, throwing reliably at the lineout and popping up in support like a back-rower in disguise. Kept the Italian defence honest with his eagerness to join the carry, blasted defenders out the road and scored a try that edged Ireland in front just before half-time before scoring another the other side of halftime. He rounded it off with a third, his 13 try in 24 outings for Ireland.

Finlay Bealham – 6.5
Came off well in his battle against the equally seasoned Simone Ferrari, holding the scrum stable. Showed nice touches with ball in hand, never turning down a chance to truck it up. Appeared to barge over for Ireland’s first try only for it to be disallowed for the proverbial two bites at the cherry.

James Ryan – 5
Too many errors from Ryan here. You can’t help but feel his effectiveness as an elite Test lock is on the wane, with very little of the game-breaking plays that marked out his early career. Needs a kick up the back-side if he doesn’t want to miss the British & Irish Lions’ plane again. His botched try in the 46th minute summed up a mediocre outing.

Fixture

Six Nations

Italy

17 - 22

Full-time

Ireland

All Stats and Data

Tadhg Beirne – 6
A couple of poor handling moments blotted the copy book, as well as poor running line that cost Ireland a crossing penalty. Not his best work but passable.

Jack Conan – 6.5
Made the hard yards count, repeatedly testing the Italian defensive line with strong carries. Always on hand for cleanouts and useful link play in the wider channels.

Josh van der Flier – 6
Sporting his trademark red scrum-cap, JVDF produced his usual high work rate, snapping up tackles and keeping a lid on Italy’s back-row threats. Decent but nothing to write home about either.

Caelan Doris – 7
A calm and competent display, continuously breaking the gain line and wrestling back possession at crucial times. Provided the glue that bound the pack’s efforts together on a scrappy afternoon for Ireland in the Eternal City.

Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Had his hands full with Martin Page-Relo’s sniping runs. A couple of uncharacteristic handling mistakes aside, his box-kicks were well-timed, giving Ireland vital territorial gains when needed. Guilty of trying to force it on occasion, not least a looping pass to Lowe that was never on.

Jack Crowley – 7.5
There must have been a lot of pressure on the Munster’s shoulders, but it didn’t show. A measured approach at fly-half, mixing short passes with well-judged kicks to keep Italy’s cover guessing, putting Keenan through for Ireland’s first with a lovely inside ball. Yes, he missed a few tackles, but certainly an improvement on Sam Prendergast in this regard. With rumours of a switch to Leicester Tigers, this was a reminder to Irish Rugby of his value.

James Lowe – 6.5
Back in the mix after pulling out late last week, he launched a few monstrous clearances and offered a powerful carrying option on his wing, though Ange Capuozzo put in a decent shift marking him. Remained a threat throughout, even if he didn’t get the rub of the green with the linesman.

Robbie Henshaw – 7
Squared up to Tommaso Menoncello in right auld midfield battles, each collision resonating with real intent. Showed deft handling and good defensive reads to soak up numerous Italian attacks, as well as some streetwise smarts to plunder at least one useful turnover.

Garry Ringrose – 5.5
Along with Hansen missed a tackle on Tommaso Menoncello that lead to Italy’s opening effort. The new bruising hits era Ringrose was once again on show, but is this 2.0 version’s tackle completion rate going down? Going off this evidence the answer is a yes.

Mack Hansen – 8
Always busy with ball in hand, even if some of his early runs were more often in the crabbing category then penetrative. His missed tackle was directly to blame for Italy’s first try and getting smashed by Monty Ioane didn’t help, but a really effective second-half brought his score up right here up. His fetch for Sheehan’s third try was superb. Unlucky to be beaten by the ball for Stephen Varney’s try.

Hugo Keenan – 8
Rock-solid under the high ball and composed at the back. Joined the line intelligently, slicing through any gaps the Italians left behind, scoring Ireland’s much needed first try. Probably still behind Blair Kinghorn in the Lions pecking order but he didn’t hurt his chances here.

Replacements

Gus McCarthy – NA
Not on long enough to rate, Easterby again showing a reluctance to blood younger talent in tight games.

Jack Boyle – 6
Made the most a short stint, challenging tired Italian defenders and offering good scrum stability after coming on 64 minutes into it in Rome.

Tadhg Furlong – 7.5
Added heft up front and a solid scrummaging platform on arrival. The Italians seemed to collectively sigh when they saw the big man warming up.

Joe McCarthy – 7
Strong in contact, committing to tackles and supporting the carry with direct running. An improvement on Ryan.

Peter O’Mahony – 7
Got his send off and a huge roar from the crowd. Brought energy and aggression to the breakdown, ensuring any sign of a late Italian revival was quickly quashed.

Conor Murray – 6
Offered composure in the closing stages of both the match and his Test career, managing tempo and territory with trademark precision. Got a huge roar from the 30,000 strong Green Army in the Stadio Olimpico.

Sam Prendergast – 5
Came on with a point to prove following his horror show against France. It was a mixed cameo and he only moved to flyhalf in the 67th minute after coming on for Henshaw in the 55th. What a difference two weekends can make.

Bundee Aki – 6.5
A couple of meaty carries and tidy distribution to keep Italy’s defence pinned back. The nasal strip will also have helped the nose he broke earlier in the competition.