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Ireland won a third Grand Slam in their history with a 24-15 win over England on St. Patrick’s Day. It was their first victory at Twickenham since 2010. Not since 1972 that Ireland have won away against both England and France in a Championship.
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Ireland player ratings:
15. Rob Kearney 8
Man-of-the-match against Scotland. Excellent chase to put pressure on Anthony Watson for the game’s opening try. A composed presence at the back, his positioning was excellent as ever, fielding whatever came his way from Owen Farrell. He was also a threat with the ball in hand.
14. Keith Earls 7
He was penalised for diving-in in the 9th minute, but England surprisingly went for the corner from a very kickable penalty and it didn’t prove costly. Farrell chipped in behind Earls for Elliot Daly to score, but with Ireland a man down they were stretched. The Munster winger pulled off an excellent tap tackle on Daly in the 44th minute and stopped what surely would have been a try. Went off late on with an injury.
13. Garry Ringrose 7
His third match back after injury and a sixth minute try scorer, pouncing on a loose ball after Anthony Watson failed to gather an up-and-under. Defensively sound alongside Aki and his battle scars post-match showed as such.
12. Bundee Aki 7
The Connacht centre fumbled in the 17th minute when Ireland had a good attacking opportunity down the left wing. He made a fine break and showed good awareness to put pick out CJ Stander for Ireland’s second try. Perhaps lucky not to be sinbinned after leading with the shoulder when tackling Elliot Daly in the 26th minute. Picked up an injury in the 54th minute to end his game.
11. Jacob Stockdale 8
The first man ever to score seven tries in a Six Nations. He gathered his chip ahead to score on the stroke of half-time. His international record now stands at 11 tries in nine appearances. Rory Best highlighted pre-match that he’s not the finished article and his fielding of kicks, along with tackling, are areas to work on – a missed tackle on Jonny May in the 76th minute was just one illustration of this.
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10. Jonathan Sexton 7
A sixth minute up-and-under that gave Rob Kearney a chance to compete with Anthony Watson, which forced the error and the games opening try. Missed a 23rd minute penalty when it struck the post. Left the field for a HIA in the 34th minute. The outhalf had taken his fair share of contact and he went off in the 66th minute due to “fatigue” according to Joe Schmidt.
9. Conor Murray 8
Snaffled an England overthrow at the lineout on the half hour when Ireland were under huge pressure. Kicked a 59th minute penalty. Marshalled his backline brilliantly, his box kicking was accurate. He is arguably just as important as Sexton to Ireland and Joe Schmidt described him as “immense”.
1. Cian Healy 7
Part of a resilient pack performance. Didn’t get a chance to get his hands on the ball as much as he did against Wales and Scotland. He was replaced by his clubmate Jack McGrath in the 51st minute after a good day’s work.
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2. Rory Best 7
One of only two remaining players from the 2009 Grand Slam winning side. The Irish captain was solid at the set piece, notably at the lineout, hitting his jumpers each time.
3. Tadhg Furlong 10
The British and Irish Lions tighthead got though an unbelievable amount of wok, often first to hit rucks and mauls. His numbers were hugely impressive, 14 tackles and 12 carries. Deservedly the man-of-the-match and it was hard to find fault with his performance.
4. James Ryan 9
He was Ireland’s top ball carrier against Scotland and the Leinster man was once again to the fore here too with 13 tackles and 10 carries. Has been quite outstanding in this Six Nations. Comparisons with Paul O’Connell have emerged, he’s not quite there yet, but at just 21-years-old he’s a frightening prospect.
5. Iain Henderson 9
The Ulsterman showed his strength in the 38th minute strangling an England rolling maul on the edge of Ireland’s 22 to earn an Ireland scrum. England had been exerting an extended period of pressure and it was a key moment, not long afterwards Stockdale scored Ireland’s third try. Joe Schmidt is a lover of stats and his 15 tackles are an impressive total. Completely vindicated his selection ahead of Toner.
6. Peter O’Mahoney 7
The Munster captain was sin binned in the 29th minute for bringing a rolling maul down as England looked set to score after incessant pressure on the Irish line. Part of a huge physical effort against a robust English pack.
7. Dan Leavy 9
Has become a thorn in opposition sides at the breakdown. Ireland’s top tackler with 16 and hugely impressive around the park with 11 carries.
8. CJ Stander 9
On Aki’s shoulder to score in the 24th minute for his eighth international try, touching down at the post. Ireland’s leading ball carrier with a monstrous 23 carries, gaining 41 metres.
16. Sean Cronin 6
The Leinster hooker came on with 15 minutes to go, the lineout and scrum all remained solid platforms for Ireland.
17. Jack McGrath 7
A 51st minute substitute for Cian Healy. He fared well at scrum time and fronted up in a big defensive effort.
18. Andrew Porter 7
Came on in the 65th for Tadhg Furlong. Porter has really made an impression in this championship and has shown Ireland have a strong alternative at tighthead.
19. Devin Toner 7
Lost his place to Iain Henderson, but certainly a good and experienced option from the bench.
20. Jordi Murphy 6
Came on with six minutes to go, the Leinster man didn’t really have long enough to make a notable impact.
21. Kieran Marmion 6
A 74th minute sub for Keith Earls. It’s not the first time that the scrum half has played for Ireland on the wing and held his own once again when out of position.
22. Joey Carbery 7
Replaced Sexton in the 34th minute for a HIA. Kicked the conversion just before half-time after Stockdale’s try. Came on in the 66th minute for Sexton and has shown he’s very much capable of closing a game out. Missed a 71st minute penalty, which would have put a 17-point gap between the sides.
23. Jordan Larmour 7
A third international appearance and in the centre this time, in place of the injured Bundee Aki who came off in the 55th minute. Showed his dancing feet in the 58th minute to make a break, but he should have passed to Keith Earls when a try looked to be on.
