ITALY 17-22 IRELAND
"We are, by no means, the finished article, at all," said Caelan Doris after Ireland's win over Italy, in Rome. Our Ireland ratings reflect that statement.
Dan Sheehan rumbled in a hat-trick and Hugo Keenan added another try, with Jack Crowley only making one of his four conversions. Italy's indiscipline (two red cards and a yellow) cost them a famous win as Ireland clun on, in the final minutes.
Ireland, for all their flaws, did claim the try-scoring bonus point to, at least, put pressure on England and France. Here are our full Ireland player ratings.
IRELAND PLAYER RATINGS
Hugo Keenan - 7
Was a magnet for high balls, in the opening stages, and coped well. No stopping him, for Ireland's opening try. Had a second score chalked off for a Doris knok-on.
Mack Hansen - 6
Costly defensive error when he jumped the line and missed Menoncello - cost his team a try. Lit up by Ioane in one tackle but presented the ball well. Great line-break, on 45 minutes, then showed up again to find Crowley. Ireland's brightest back, in attack. Gifted another try when he let Capuozzo's kick slip through his hands.
Garry Ringrose - 4
Missed Menoncello when he burst past Hansen. Came from an offside position to pick up a loose ball, putting Ireland 10-7 behind. Missed five tackles.
Robbie Henshaw - 5
Dipped in for a breakdown poach turnover. Quiet day in attack. Three carries for four metres made.
James Lowe - 7
Put far too much into a kick he wanted to find touch inside the Italy 22. Rushed the line to intercept and offload to Ryan. Moshed Capuozzo and looked to have stayed in touch, but linesman did Ireland no favours. Huge steal from Garbisi in the final minutes.
Jack Crowley - 5
Nice pull-back pass to set up Keenan's try. Put a bit too much on some kicks out of hand. Bad conversion miss, just before half-time. Pass to Sheehan, out on the wing, had too much heat on it. Another conversion miss after Sheehan's hat-trick.
Dan Sheehan celebrates with team-mate Bundee Aki after scoring their side's fourth try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Italy and Ireland at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)
Jamison Gibson-Park - 5
Gifted a turnover with a blind pass inside than landed in the midriff of prop Danilo Fischetti. Martin Page-Relo left him behind with a line break off an Italian scrum. Coughed up possession, early in the second half.
Andrew Porter - 8
Solid in the scrum, which had the edge. Did not make a carry in the first half, but made seven after the break.
Dan Sheehan - 9
Conceded a scrum free-kick when the ref penalised him for not setting the brake foot. Powered over for his 11th try in Six Nations history, just before half-time. Could not clutch a pass Crowley blazed at him, out wide. Second try off another dominant maul. Showed up on the right wing for his hat-trick. Threw to the line well, and scrum had the edge as the game wore on. Stuck 15 tackles, while he was at it.
Finlay Bealham - 6
Had a try chalked off for a double movement. Stepped up with an important turnover.
James Ryan - 5
Spilled forward after Lowe's intercept. Could not get over for a try, but Doris pass was behind him. Three carries for eight metres and stuck four tackles.
Tadhg Beirne - 6
Made a lineout steal but his teammates were not alive to it. Stuck all 12 tackles but no punch on his carries.
Jack Conan - 5
Pinged for not supporting his weight during a poach attempt. 10 carries and stuck 11 tackles.
Josh van der Flier - 4
Strangely quiet first half - one tackle made, one carry for little change. Made two more tackles in the second half but called ashore after 52 minutes.
Caelan Doris - 5
A breakdown nuisance for Italy. Pinged for kick-chase obstruction to give Italy easy access to the Irish half. Sloppy pass to Ryan spoiled try-scoring chance. Keenan's second try was chalked off for his knock-on. Conceded three turnovers. Leading tackler, with 16.
REPLACEMENTS
Tadhg Furlong (for Bealham '46) - 7
Scrum bossed it when he was on. Forced a knock-on turnover with a strong tackle.
Joe McCarthy (for Ryan '46) - 5
Much-needed grunt.
Peter O'Mahony (for van der Flier '52) - 6
18 metres made on three carries and stuck five tackles.
Bundee Aki (for Henshaw '55) - 6
Dived in for a turnover after Furlong's tackle.
Jack Boyle (for Porter '65) - 5
Solid.
Sam Prendergast (for Crowley '65) - 4
Threw a looping pass straight out of play.
Conor Murray (for Gibson-Park '66) - 5
Gus McCarthy (for Sheehan '70) - 5
Ireland went top of the standings after that game, but were aware that England and France could still finish ahead of them.
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