Throughout the 2022 Six Nations, our esteemed contributor, rugby analyst and head coach with Leinster Schools Brett Igoe, has provided us with Irish player ratings.
In this article we have compiled the average score for each player, to give a more rounded view of how Ireland's stars performed in the tournament as a whole.
NB: We have only included ratings for players who have played 120+ minutes and started in two matches, and only included scores for subs if they played 40+ minutes in that game.
Average Six Nations Player Ratings
Back-Three
Hugo Keenan - 7.25
The only fullback who qualifies for our list had another impressive Six Nations. While his form dipped slightly for the French game, he was outstanding against England as he dealt superbly with the barrage of pinpoint kicks from England's half-backs. He produced the goods again against Scotland, which included a ridiculous try saving tackle on Stuart Hogg, and subsequently made many Team of the Tournament XV's.
Mack Hansen - 6.5
One of two Irish debutants in this year's Six Nations along with Mike Lowry, Hansen enjoyed the perfect start to his Ireland career with a man-of-the-match performance against Wales in the opening game. He followed it up with that outrageous try from a kick-off against the French, but was unable to reach such heights again for the rest of the competition. A top top tournament from the Connacht man, and showed as well that he is very capable of playing on both wings.
James Lowe - 6.67
Some questioned Lowe's return to the starting XV against England over Hansen, but he backed it up with an all action display, despite making a few unforced errors. He only playing a total of 240 minutes but racked up an insane 441 metres, and proved once more that he is still Ireland's number 1 winger. And that left boot... ooooft.
19 March 2022; James Lowe of Ireland during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Andrew Conway - 6.67
Conway continued his Autumn form, and solidified himself as one of Farrell's most trustworthy soldiers. Over the course of the tournament he displayed excellent decision making, finishing skills, and one of the best 50:22s you are ever likely to see.
Centres
Garry Ringrose - 7
Quite possibly his best tournament to date with Ireland, playing in all five matches, and showing why he is one of the best all-round centres in the game with classy displays in both attack and defence. His pass to Conway in the lead up to Jack Conan's try against England, and his score against Wales were stand out moments.
Bundee Aki - 6.25
Robbie Henshaw was nominated for Six Nations player of the tournament last year, before starting all three Lions tests. The fact that Aki was able to keep him out of the starting line up shows the form he is in. Big tackles made all tournament, showed nice soft hands at times, and scored the opening try of the competition.
Half-Backs
Johnny Sexton - 6.33
Showed once more that he is still part of the elite of the game, and will be vital to Ireland's World Cup hopes. The improvement of Ireland when he came off the bench against Italy was very telling. His captaincy is also getting better.
Joey Carbery - 7
His performance against France was a defining moment in his career, as he weathered first a storm from critics calling for Jack Carty to start ahead of him, and then the storm of the ferocious French XV. He helped Ireland back into the game with some astute passing and goal kicking, and cemented his place as the no.2 outhalf in the country.
12 February 2022; Joey Carbery of Ireland in action against Gael Fickou of France during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between France and Ireland at Stade de France in Paris, France. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Jamison Gibson-Park - 6.6
The nippy scrumhalf is the epitomy of the Farrell era and the way in which Ireland are looking to play. Perhaps not the very best scrumhalf in the country, but certainly the best fit for Ireland's fast paced style. Quick thinking, very clever around the ruck, and great at changing the point of attack, all of which was on show in his MOTM performance against England. Could do with improving the consistency in his kicking game, as Conor Murray highlighted its importance during the veteran's excellent cameos.
Front-Row
Andrew Porter - 7.33
All action displays in the loose from one of the premiere front-rowers in world rugby. Put in a great shift in the scrum against Wales but had a tough time of it in Paris. It is vital for Ireland that his scrummaging continues to improve. Was very unlucky that his tournament was sadly cut short.
Cian Healy - 6
Was unlucky against England when Ireland were unfairly adjudged at scrum time. However, while he is still Ireland's second choice loosehead, his age is beginning to show and he is not the powerhouse he once was.
Dan Sheehan - 8
One of Ireland's stand out performers of the 2022 Six Nations. His ability to break tackles in the wide-channels, and his passing and offloading, will give Farrell a nice headache when Ronán Kelleher is back to full fitness. He will be disappointed however with crucial lineouts that went astray against France, and the tough time the front-row endured against England.
19 March 2022; Dan Sheehan of Ireland celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's first try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and Scotland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Tadhg Furlong - 7
And stillll the best tighthead in world rugby. Furlong remains one of the most vital pieces in Ireland's team as he continues to perform at a world class level. His ego will be bruised slightly after the England game, even if some of the penalties against him were incorrect calls.
Second-Row
Tadhg Beirne - 7.2
Beirne continues his form as one of Ireland's best players, and is still undroppable after this year's Six Nations. Versatile, one of the best in the world over the ball, and has a habit of making big plays at crucial times (see his 50:22 vs France). While some detractors focus on his lack of size for a second-row, it has yet proven to be a major issue as Ireland will feel they should have beaten France regardless.
Tadhg Beirne with a 50/22.
Funt-astic. pic.twitter.com/RXuvhUkc5a— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) February 12, 2022
James Ryan - 7.5
Proved his detractors wrong with some strong showings in the trenches against Wales and France. However, his decision against the French to go for the posts proved to be the wrong call and could have been the difference in Ireland winning the Championship. He will grow and learn, and is still a starter when fit. It was heartbreaking to see him go off early against England with a head injury, but he will be back.
Iain Henderson - 4
Henderson had an uncharacteristic amount of unforced errors, which can probably be chalked down to a lack of game time in the run up to the Six Nations. It is an easy fix and the rest of his game was astute. However, he will be disappointed with his overall showing.
Back-Row
Caelan Doris - 7.2
One of the best backrowers in the world. He was Ireland's strongest ball carrier, and best poacher along with Beirne. He has the best skillset of any backrow in Ireland, and it is very encouraging to see him play in all of Ireland's games considering his injury history.
12 March 2022; Caelan Doris of Ireland makes a break from Ben Youngs of England during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Peter O'Mahony - 6.5
POM proved that he is still a force at the top level, and a strong impact sub. He didn't, however, do enough in his start against England to usurp Jack Conan, and will be disappointed with zero lineout steals in the competition.
Josh Van Der Flier - 7.4
Ireland's player of the competition, and a worthy nominee for Six Nations player of the tournament alongside Antoine Dupont and Gregory Alldritt. Has been excellent in every game he has played this season for both province and country, and has filled the CJ Stander shaped void with his tireless work-rate and engine. Was the only Irish player to play every minute of the tournament.
Jack Conan - 6.75
Expectations are now higher for the Lions no. 8, and he will have wanted to have had a few more impactful moments in the competition. Still, he had a solid tournament and remains an important cog out in the wide channels.
See Also: Quiz: How Well Do You Remember The 2022 Six Nations?
