The scoreboard really did not tell the full story of Ireland's defeat to England. The hosts were totally dominant, scoring three tries to Ireland's two as they ran out 24-12 winners. On another day, it could have been a much bigger win.
England did the real damage in the first half as Ireland struggled to deal with their line speed in defence. That, coupled with bad mistakes for England's two opening tries, put Ireland in a tough position.
Ireland player ratings vs England
Jordan Larmour - 6
No doubt Ireland's most dangerous player with ball in hand but had just three chances to carry for 26m.
Replaced by Keith Earls after 64 minutes.
Andrew Conway - 6
Put in a great tackle to stop Manu Tuilaigi going over in the corner in the fourth minute. Carried three times for 17m
Replaced by Ross Byrne after an hour.
Robbie Henshaw - 6
Burrowed his way over for Ireland's opening try of the game in the 50th minute. Carried six times for 24m and made seven tackles.
Part of a backline which really struggled to deal with England's line speed.
Bundee Aki - 6.5
Won a good turnover in the 30th minute to halt England in a good position. Saw more of the ball in the second half than in the first. Carried 11 times for 58m and made 11 tackles.
Jacob Stockdale - 5.5
Showed a real ack of awareness for England's second try. Perhaps unlucky with the bounce but failed to position himself properly to prevent Elliot Daly running through. Seemed lackadaisical in the moment. Carried seven times for 71m.
Jonathan Sexton - 5
Like Stockdale, didn't deal well a bouncing ball behind the Irish defence which led to an England try. Juggled Ben Youngs's kick before it fell handily for George Ford.
Had a real off day with the boot too. First penalty was screwed wide from what should have been an easy kick for a player of his calibre. First conversion kick was similar.
England's line speed in defence was a real problem for Ireland and he gave them no reason to not continue rushing up.
Conor Murray - 5
Kicking was again poor. Struggled to deal with the pace of England's defence. Knocked on three times. Replaced by John Cooney after 54 minutes.
Cian Healy - 6
Played 25 minutes before being replaced by Dave Kilcoyne due to injury.
Carried twice for nine metres, as much as he did in the entirety of the game against Wales. Part of a scrum which looked mostly solid during his time on the pitch.
Rob Herring - 6
Ireland's line-out was mostly solid during his hour of play. Saw one throw to Toner disrupted and was lucky to see another retained. Throws are perhaps a bit on the conservative side. Open to disruption when riskier.
Caused a good turnover midway through the first half and put in an important tackle late in the first too.
Replaced by Ronan Kelleher after an hour.
Tadhg Furlong - 5
Carried four times for 11m and made eight tackles. Did not have the impact on the game he would have liked. Replaced by Andrew Porter after 57 minutes.
Devin Toner - 4.5
Carried just twice for three metres and made just five tackles in 60 minutes of the pitch.
James Ryan - 6
Carried hard, 13 times for 34m and made eight tackles. Ireland's top lineout option.
Peter O’Mahony - 5.5
Brilliantly disrupted an England lineout on Ireland's 5m line in 21st minute. Carried seven times for 17m and made 11 tackles.
Josh van der Flier 5
Carried just twice for five metres and made 11 tackles. Did not disrupt England at the breakdown as he would have liked.
Replaced by Caelan Doris after an hour.
CJ Stander 6.5
Ireland's best player along with Bundee Aki. Carried 15 times for 56m and made 17 tackles.
Replacements:
Ronan Kelleher - not on long enough to rate
Came on for Rob Herring after an hour.
Dave Kilcoyne - 6
Carried seven times for 29m. Conceded possession on the ground with Ireland in a good position at the beginning of the second half but was good overall.
Came on after 26 minutes as an injury replacement for Cian Healy.
Andrew Porter - 6
Scored Ireland's second try, burrowing over with the clock deep into the red.
Came on for Tadhg Furlong after 57 minutes.
Ultan Dillane - not on long enough to rate
Came on for Devin Toner after an hour.
Caelan Doris - not on long enough to rate
Came on for Josh van der Flier after an hour.
John Cooney - 6
Carried five times for 33m. Had a slightly better game than Conor Murray.
Came on for Conor Murray after 55 minutes.
Ross Byrne - not on long enough to rate
Came on for Andrew Conway after 65 minutes
Keith Earls - not on long enough to rate
Came on for Jordan Larmour after 65 minutes.
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
