Ooof, that was tenser than it should've been.
Ireland backed up their historic win over New Zealand with a crushing 52-21 victory over Canada. The first half wasn't as smooth as Joe Schmidt would've wanted. A dominant second half has given the Kiwi coach a lot of thinking to do ahead of the All Blacks visit next weekend.
We've given the player ratings from a decent performance by Ireland.
1- Cian Healy: 6
Had some early carries but the Ireland pack did not cover themselves in glory in the first half. Better in the second half and finished with 16 carries. Perhaps not enough to warrant a start next weekend.
2- Sean Cronin: 6.5
Lineouts were solid throughout the match and put in some big hits before being withdrawn midway through the second half.
3 - Finlay Bealham: 7.5
Settled early by putting a huge hit on Djustice Sears and continued to do so throughout the game. His clever offload set up Ireland's third try.
4- Ultan Dillane: 8.5
Decided to take on the entire Canadian team with 15 minutes gone and hit harder than any other Irish player in the first 40. Got a deserved try. A good performance from the Connacht star. Finished as deserved man of the match.
5- Billy Holland: 6.5
Ireland lost their first line out but Holland would win all of his next seven following that.
6- Peter O'Mahony (C): 6
Solid but not spectacular from the Munster man. Position in the 23 is uncertain though after a strong performance from a certain man from Tullow.
7- Sean O'Brien: 7
Bust and bullied his way through tackle after tackle but should've scored Ireland's second try early on. Looked good on his return to Ireland action after injury.
8- Jack O'Donoghue: 6
Ran for just eight meters all game and wasn't able to make any sort of impact.
9- Kieran Marmion: 7
Did well to spot the space for the Irish opener and had great distribution throughout the game, including a brace of assists. Touched down for his first Ireland try midway through the second half.
10- Paddy Jackson: 7
100% on kicks and gave a superb offload for Luke Marshall's try. Gave Joe Schmidt something to think about ahead of the All Blacks return next week.
11- Keith Earls: 8
Would've been gutted to have missed the historic win in Chicago through suspension. Grabbed the first try of the game five minutes in and was key in the build up to the second. Bugged the shite out of DTH Van Der Merwe all game.
12- Luke Marshall: 6.5
Grabbed his second international try with 20 minutes gone but gifted Canada their first a few minutes later. Offload to Ringrose set up penultimate try.
13- Garry Ringrose: 6.5
Thought he had his first try for Ireland only to be hauled back. Came into the match during the second half to gain yards. Brilliant chemistry with Carbery. Was able to tear a tiring Canadian defence apart.
14- Craig Gilroy: 5.5
Had a couple of breaks in the first half but couldn't settle into the game at all. Whipped off with fifteen minutes to go and will probably be disappointed.
15 - Tiernan O'Halloran: 7.5
Burned the Canadian backs for a deserved try just before halftime after combining with Connacht teammate Bealham. A heroic effort to stop Canada's third try just came up short, but grabbed a second try late on.
Subs:
16 - James Tracy: 6.5
Did a good job against tired opposition and Ireland didn't lose one of their own line outs while he was on. Scored the last try in added time.
17 - Dave Kilcoyne: 6.5
Came on with 20 minutes to go and controlled the scrums when he did. Was a battering ram for the Irish late on. Tried to hurdle an opponent, amazingly.
18- John Ryan: 6
Given his debut after 47 minutes and was strong in the mauls.
John Ryan has been excellent since he's come on. Rock solid at scrum time. Has massively improved over the last couple of years.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) November 12, 2016
19: Donnacha Ryan: N/A
Only given a small cameo in the final six minutes.
20 - Dan Leavy: N/A
Brought on to ice the game with ten to go. Stole a lineout. Solid debut.
21 - Luke McGrath: N/A
A couple of quick passes here and there but probably didn't do enough to make the bench next week.
22 - Joey Carbery : 6
A slightly less pressured situation to come into this week for Carbery but made an impact in his eight minutes on the pitch. Missed both of his conversions but Ireland's attack noticeably improved when we came on for Jackson.
24 - Niyi Adeoluken : N/A
Will have a bigger impact in a bigger game in the future.
