The 2024 Grand Slam is gone in what was real tough Test match, where the Ireland rugby team were taken to a place not many sides have taken them, by an England side buried the critics with a massive performance.
England’s defence snuffed out much of Ireland’s famed phase play as Ireland struggled with the England linespeed and their lineout pressure. Two incredible tries from James Lowe looked to have given Ireland the victory but it was a Marcus Smith drop goal with the clock in the red put an end to Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes.
Here's a look at the individual performances of the Irish team. It's your Ireland rugby player ratings.
Ireland Rugby Player Ratings - Starting XV:
15. Hugo Keenan – 6/10
Forced to move to the wing after Nash injury. Incredible catch before Lowe’s try that gave Ireland the momentum. Lucky to get away with a few defence errors when he switched to the wing.
14. Calvin Nash – n/a
Poor tackle technique in the lead up for England’s opening game put him out of the game after 4 minutes.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 6/10
Showed his experience and patience in his defence of the 13 channel as England really stressed Ireland out in the midfield. 9 tackles.
12. Bundee Aki – 8/10
Ireland’s best performer by some distance with his direct and abrasive in his ball carrying. Came up with a great penalty win that got Ireland into a 9-8 ahead. 12 Tackles / 12 ball carries.
11. James Lowe – 6/10
Took his 2 tries very well . His kicking was hit & miss all afternoon. Missed a few vital tackles at crucial times.
10. Jack Crowley– 6/10
Got Ireland off to a great start with an early penalty only to miss a tackle for England’s 1st try. England forced him into making tackles as a clear England tactic. Fantastic skills to get the ball away to Doris for Lowe’s try. Really struggled with the England defence pressure.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 6/10
Slow service for much the game due to England pressure. Some poor box kicking forced onto the wing due to 6/2 bench split. Had some good aerial moments when on the wing and a great pass to Lowe.
1. Andrew Porter – 6/10
Had to do 72 minutes and but in a big scrum performance . Got through a lot of breakdown work with some massive clearouts.
2. Dan Sheehan – 6/10
Good performance by the Ireland hooker who was left to do a tonne of defence work. England did well to stop his usual massive ball carrying. 12 Tackles / 7 ball carries.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 6/10
Genge got the better of him in the early scrums but settled down to the task and worked hard.
7 Tackles / 2 ball carries.
4. Joe McCarthy – 6/10
Throw himself around the pitch, smashing English ball carries at every opportunity. Needs to be smarter with the pictures he presents to referees especially in lineout defence. Tired in the 2nf half. 10 Tackles / 4 ball carries.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 6/10
Put the England Lineout under serious pressure. Come up with a massive turnover to stop a near certain England try in the 1st half. Faded badly in the last 20 minutes. 8 Tackles / 5 ball carries.
6. Peter O’Mahony (Capt) – 3/10
Really struggled with the pace and intensity of this top quality test match. Needed to share the Ball carrying work and was a passenger for much of the game. Let others have engagements with the referee. Rightly carded and put his team under pressure by a yellow card that got England into the lead.
7. Josh Van Der Flier – 7/10
Outstanding opening quarter with winning penalties, slowing England’s ball and some smart ball carrying. Had some big moments at big times.
8. Caelan Doris – 7/10
Rolled his sleeves up and got down & dirty with the English backrow. Ireland’s top tackler with 13 tackles / 8 ball carries.
SEE ALSO: Brian O'Driscoll Thinks Six Nations "Needed" England Win v Ireland
SEE ALSO: TMO Misses Likely Red Card Tackle On Tadhg Furlong By Ellis Genge
Ireland rugby player ratings - Replacements:
16· Ronan Kelleher – 7/10
Good impact. Great penalty win that got Ireland the field position for Lowe’s 2nd try to get us back into the game. 3 outstanding throws to Henderson under massive pressure
17· Cian Healy – 5/10
Became Ireland’s 2nd highest test match player when he came on with 9 minutes left. Worked hard for his 2 tackles
18· Finlay Bealham – 6/10
20 minutes – good impact by the Connacht man.
19· Iain Henderson – 7/10
20 minutes of quality action by the big Ulster man. Came up with 3 massive Lineout wins in the 2nd half as the lineout was wobbling.
20· Ryan Baird– 6/10
Needed to get on the pitch earlier. Didn’t get on the ball to show his impact. Left to defence duties.
21· Jack Conan – 6/10
Hungry for work when he came on. Some good carries in the outside channel
22· Conor Murray – 4/10
On after 50 minutes, lacked the impact that was needed as he struggled to increase the pace of the game that was needed that played into England’s defence plan.
23· Ciaran Frawley – 5/10
On at Full back after 4 minutes . Did well for Lowe’s try. His positioning was questionable at times. Forced out with a head injury after 50 minutes.
Coach– 4/10
One match doesn’t make a bad coach but Farrell will be frustrated with some of the mistakes his coaching staff made this week. The Lineout was badly exposed throughout the game and does against teams who get in the air. Unfortunately the 6/2 split bit him on the arse as Ireland injuries mounted in the backs. Has a huge decision to make around the captaincy of the team, but that might have to be done in the summer. He will dust himself off and demand a huge performance next week.
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