A day to remember for some and to forget for others. We give our ratings. Let us know what you think over on Facebook or Twitter.
Ireland:
15. Robbie Henshaw - 4
Obvious hasn’t played at Full-Back in some time. His attributes not best suited for an International 15. Matt Williams was quoted saying ”
14. Keith Earls - 3
Caught out for opening England try with a poor defensive read. Targeted in the air and aerial battle against Jonny May. Tactically whipped off at HT by Joe Schmidt. Interesting to see if he starts next week in Edinburgh.
13. Garry Ringrose - 7
Ireland’s most dangerous threat going forward. Joint highest carrier for Ireland with 14 carries. With only 4 clean breaks for Ireland, Ringrose had 2.
12. Bundee Aki - 6
Oddly played at first receiver a lot, second highest passing back. Managed Tuilagi well and carried well.
11. Jacob Stockdale - 6
Most prolific player with ball in hand this evening with 74m ran. Ultimately at fault for 2nd English try but a solid enough display for the Ulster man.
10. Jonathan Sexton - 3
Possibly his worst outing in a green shirt, certainly his worst in the last few years. Emphasises how important an in form Sexton is to Ireland success.
9. Connor Murray - 5
Rare to see Ireland being dominated in an aerial battle. Perhaps more to do with the strength of the English players in the air than the quality of kicks. Exceptionally busy in defence with 12 tackles, the highest in the backline, double the amount of 2nd place Ringrose.
8. CJ Stander - 6
Ireland’s joint top tackler with 17 tackles and 0 missed. 2nd highest carrier with 11 carries. Huge work rate but not as dynamic as usual with only 6m gained.
7. Josh Van Der Flier - 6
Similar to Stander, huge work rate as always, 17 tackles made and 0 missed. 1 handling error.
6. Peter O’Mahony - 5
Unusually quiet game, in comparison to his fellow back rowers, 9 tackles, 2 missed and carried 6 times for 2m. His game will be remembered more for his ‘Stupid c***’ remarks towards Kyle Sinckler.
5. James Ryan - 7
Typical industrious performance that we have come to expect from the Leinster man. Most willing carrier in the pack with 14 carries.
4. Devin Toner - 5
Solid in the line out, ineffective going forward and will be disappointed with a poor clear out leading to a turnover. Ireland will hope his injury isn’t serious given the current state of the 2nd row options.
3. Tadgh Furlong - 7
Typical strong carriers and solid in the scrum. 1 memorable carry taking 3 Englishmen to finally ground him.
2. Rory Best - 6
1 crooked lineout. Key secondary shove for Healy try. Typically aggressive and persistent at the breakdown.
1. Cian Healy - 7
A willing carrier with 9 carries. Got across for Ireland’s opening try. Solid in the scrum. Has definitely reclaimed the Irish 1 jersey.
Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin – 7 - Put Cooney in for late try.
17. Dave Kilcoyne – NA
18. Andrew Porter – NA
19. Quinn Roux – NA
20. Sean O’Brien – 7 - Good to see him back in the green. Could be pushing for a start next week.
21. John Cooney – NA
22. Joey Carberry – NA
23. Jordan Larmour – 5 - Didn’t get to use his trademark quick feet. Will be disappointed with defensive display making 1 and missing 2.
England:
15. Elliott Daly – 8
Try, assist, solid in the air.
14. Jack Nowell – 8
Most metres made by any English player with 56m. Even deputising in the backrow during Tom Curry’s period in the bin.
13. Henry Slade – 9
Our Man of the Match. Continual threat with the ball in hand. Busiest English back with 11 tackles. 2 tries, showing great pace for the try from Jonny May’s chip.
12. Manu Tuilagi – 8
Great to see him back in the England starting XV. Solid display. Lucky that his no armed clear out on Jacob Stockdale went unnoticed.
11. Jonny May – 8
Scored on 90 seconds. Totally dominated the aerial battle with his opposite wing with success time and time again.
10. Owen Farrell - 8
Leading from the front and with passion. Clever kicking, huge defensive display and directed the English side to victory.
9. Ben Youngs – 8
A reminder that Connor Murray isn’t the only quality box kicking 9 in the Championship. Regularly put England on the front foot with his pin point box kicking.
8. Billy Vunipola - 8
England’s most efficient carrier but maybe not as destructive as we’re used to.
7. Tom Curry – 7
Silly yellow card with his late hit on Earls. Harried the breakdown well
6. Mark Wilson - 8
Very effective with the unglamorous work required of a back-row forward. 21 tackles – Newcastle will be missing him over these next few weeks
5. George Kruis - 7
Unspectacular but effective work from Saracen’s second row
4. Maro Itoje - 8
England will be hoping that his injury will not be as it looked as he hobbled off the field. One memorable turnover. Fortunate that the collision in the air with Earls was only a penalty
3. Kyle Sinckler – 6
Quiet – only memorable for his exchange with POM
2. Jamie George – 7
Gave away two penalties. Tackled well
1. Mako Vunipola - 9
Extra-ordinary defensive effort. 25 tackles. Very unlucky that his
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie – NA
17. Ellis Genge – NA
18. Harry Williams – NA
19. Courtney Lawes – 8 - Solid shift from the big 2nd rower.
20. Nathan Hughes – 7 Did well playing in the unusual position of 2nd row.
21. Dan Robson – NA
22. George Ford – NA
23. Chris Ashton – NA
