IRELAND PULLED OFF a hugely dominant victory over the Welsh to make it two wins from two in the Six Nations so far.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in their magnificent 26-3 success.
Rob Kearney – 8
Competed in the air eagerly but couldn’t quite win the ball cleanly until a magnificent take against Halfpenny in the 31st minute. Fielded whatever ball came his way effectively and got in a clever block on the Welsh fullback after 57 minutes. Didn’t feature too often in attack, but his chat from the back was persistent.
Andrew Trimble – 9
Excellent one-on-one tackle on North early and carried re-starts back willingly, as well as dealing with Wales’ aerial game well. Searing break in the 27th minute put Wales under pressure and the only blot on his first half was a poor pass to Kearney in the 38th minute. Less to do in the second half before being subbed off on 60 minutes, but showed that he is an international-class wing.
Brian O’Driscoll – 8
Had one clever grubber down the left on 11 minutes, but threw an intercept to North immediately after. Carried directly on first phase similarly to last weekend, straight up the middle, and then classier touches were added in the second half. Slipped off a tackle on Roberts in the 47th minute as well as conceding a breakdown penalty in the 51st. Wales attempted to expose him defensively in the second half, but the legendary centre was up to the task.
Gordon D’Arcy – 7
Got some poor delivery early on but managed to recycle possession well. Shepherded Faletau down the right-hand touchline intelligently after 30 minutes. Had one smart inside pass to Kearney in the 43rd minute and then shored up Ireland’s defence efficiently in the second half. Would have preferred more ball in his hands, but his communication was key.
Dave Kearney – 8
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Made an energetic half-break in the fifth minute then did the same after 35 to kick start another Ireland attack. Has added aggression to his carrying and used his upper body more to fend off contact. Lost out to Cuthbert in the air in the 47th minute but otherwise chased willingly and tirelessly. Belongs in this arena.
Jonathan Sexton – 8
After a shaky start, his kicking from hand became a central factor in the game as the Racing Métro man efficiently carried out Ireland’s game plan to put the ball behind Wales. His form off the tee was strong too, as he slotted five from six efforts. Defensively aggressive, hitting high around the ball and preventing any offloads in midfield.
Conor Murray – 8
Looked for sniping chances in the opening quarter, keeping Wales honest around fringes. Box kicking was largely as good as it has ever been bar one straight into Cuthbert’s hands on a low trajectory and another into touch on 61. Forward pass in the 50th minute but overall his delivery was very crisp and snappy. Swept in behind the defence with composure.
Cian Healy – 8
Once again carried powerfully as well as chopping ball carriers at the ankle close in to rucks, slipping off just the one in the 65th minute. Didn’t manage any of the spectacular runs that are becoming characteristic, but his efforts in keeping Ireland’s maul tight at the front were excellent. Managed Jones superbly at the scrum.
Rory Best – 9
©INPHO/Colm O’Neill
Busy at the breakdown, acting almost as a back row would in attack. Competed defensively too, while his throwing at the line-out was superb in the first half particularly. Worked very hard in phase play defence and even featured in wide channels, making tackles and slowing ball down. Clearly the best hooker in this game.
Mike Ross – 7
Collapsed the first scrum to concede a penalty, but then got his revenge on Jenkins in the 26th minute. One vital clear-out on Lydiate 25 metres from Ireland’s line in 28th minutes, and his scrummaging improved as the half wore on. Also featured in the efficient Ireland maul and line-out.
Devin Toner – 9
Made lots of tackles in around fringes, even if some were understandably upright. His line-out skills are a genuine weapon for Ireland and it was the Leinster man who caught for the maul try. Stepped up his physicality in open play in the second half although missed one tackle in midfield in the 77th minute. Possibly the best line-out forward in the Six Nations.
Paul O’Connell – 9
Opened with a superb hit on Lydiate, allowing O’Mahony to steal. Robbed a Welsh line-out in the 15th minute and offered himself as a carrier repeatedly. His line-out contributions were immaculate while his effort to get to the breakdowns were prominent. Massive work-rate before being replaced by Tuohy. The 34-year-old hungrily made up for missing out last weekend.
Chris Henry – 8
Worked well with O’Mahony in a defensive sense, making the tackles and close-in carries that are crucial to back row balance. Was the central part of the sublime maul try in the first half and then tackled Roberts well in midfield twice immediately after the break. Dominated Faletau in a 69th minute tackle at the back of the scrum too.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
His carrying appears stronger than in previous seasons and did his usual spoiling at the ruck area, even if O’Mahony overshadowed him in that sense. Played an important lifting role at the line-out and added lots of other little, thankless contributions. His tackle as Ireland defended their tryline in the 67th minute was vital.
Substitutes:
Sean Cronin – 7
Only on the pitch briefly but hit his man at the line-out and piled into the maul with vigour.
Jack McGrath – 7
Played a big role in the powerful maul in the 71st minute and made typically busy contributions in attack.
Martin Moore – 7
©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Was pinged for a scrum penalty with his first involvement in the game, allowing Priestland to finally get Wales off the mark, but held up solidly the next time. One strong carry in the 76th minute and mauled well.
Dan Tuohy – didn’t feature enough to rate
Came on for O’Connell in the second half but was forced off very soon afterwards.
Tommy O’Donnell – 7
Bounded on to add work rate late on, and added his grunt to some magnificent mauls in the last quarter.
Isaac Boss – 6
Was part of the last-minute breakout to rub the dominant victory in.
Paddy Jackson – 6
Wasn’t hugely involved, but took his try with glee and converted it too.
Fergus McFadden – 6
Chased Murray and Sexton’s kicks with his usual energy and determination, coming close to winning a turnover with a choke tackle in the 69th minute.
We’re sure you disagree with some of the ratings, so let us know what scores you would have given the players and why…
Joe Schmidt – 10
Damn straight.
Not only were the wrlsh out muscled, they were out thought.
It doesn’t matter if North & Cuthbert are as bitlg as locks, when all they are getting is high ball with tacklers all.over them.
We nullified their threats & executed our game better.
Wales out-coached big time.
Joe Schmidt 10/10.
Yeah, you gotta hand it to Joe’s tactics. The BBC were complaining about Ireland’s ‘boring’ tactics, but that’s to be expected. Ireland’s pack were immense. The fundamentals were spot on, and Wales had no answer.
Ha the bbc…only way england won anything was the boring way…
ireland were intense and exciting
Sure the BBC and English rugby know all about boring tactics, it’s not that long ago when all they played was bash rugby. Ireland played the game they needed to today an played it magnificently.
Unreal Irish performance , joe destroyed gatlan in the tactics , darcy justified hiss call up , tremble was brilliant , no bad performance from any irish player . O Mahoney and I connel were excellent . You would wonder which team had 11 lions ,
Ireland play to win not to entertain. If you want entertainers, hire a bunch of actors.
Celtic tiger finally beats the lions
Only a 7 for Darce? Sure didn’t he get to keep North’s & Roberts’ ankles for trophies after the game…I expect one of your forensic analysis pieces on ‘Why I have D’Arcy a 7′ later this week, Mr Kinsella.
I’m with you there. D’Arcy was immense throughout. Would easily have scored a 9 in my humble opinion.
Too right Phil. How long has Darce put in amazing performances for Ireland and yet again to be underrated by the so-called, self-styled experts. Game in, game out he produces the goods for us. Others around him get the plaudits but Darcy breaks the gain line time after time with an amazing leg drive for a guy his size. Add to that his incredible tackle count. I think despite the pseudo expert naysayers, Schmidt knows what he brings to this team – dropped Marshall in Darcy’s favour though the latter had a great game last weekend. Name a better centre partnership in world rugby over the last ten years? THe only one to come close would be the All Blacks. Darcy and O’Driscoll rule Middle Earth!
I’m sorry but 7 for D’arcy is shocking defo an 8 or if generously like he deserves a 9. The man was up against backs who are taller by a few inches and packing an extra 10kg in muscle without his fast defensive line speed, his fantastic beard and his very effective chop tackle we would have been struggling in midfield!
They played bash rugby again against Scotland. A yawnfest in the second half, but they’d hammered Scotland before the second half started!
It was raining & windy! Christ have the BBC ever watched England play…it ya want to see one dimensional boring rugby look no closer that the men in white
Yep, Darcy played better than BOD today
Joke of a rating to be honest – But then accuracy is not expected – Priestland got wales off the mark!!!!!!!
Peter O’Mahony – 11
Ireland 10
2 mins before game george hook predicts another famous irish loss
You are brilliant george you have sucessfully been wrong 11 times in a row
RTE pundit at its best
That Hookophobic could cost you €€€€
IRELAND / BoD —- 26
LIONS / GATLAND — 3
Don’t forget the Lions won the series so I don’t think Gatland will ever think he was wrong to drop O’Driscoll. The fact is they hammered Australia in the third test when O’Driscoll wasn’t playing. Winning today proves nothing to Gatland. It’s very childish to still be going on about it. O’Driscoll wasn’t playing well and Davies was, it’s that simple. People have to get over it or it will be all O’Driscoll will be remembered for in his last two years of rugby.
Love his way. Keep watching to see him put his foot in it.
But he still does not ever admit being wrong . I wonder does he feel embarrassed when he watches the replays or when he listens to o Shea and Horgan not understanding what they are talking about . Hopefully he will predict England in two weeks .
Mike – everyone is over it after today’s 26-3 drubbing of Gatlands choices !!!
But the Lions won too. This year is nothing got to do with what happened in the summer. Are Irish people really that bitter towards the Lions even though we had other representatives on the team? Gatland doesn’t need to justify any of his choices for the Lions as they had as convincing win. If Wales are not playing well this year doesn’t mean these players were not the right choices last summer, that’s a childish attitude to have.
I’m a huge O’Driscoll, Ireland and Leinster fan but I find this constant rubbish about what happened with the Lions ridiculous. He was dropped for the better player. No player should be undroppable on any team in any sport.
England not playing well …. Says george ….. They should only win by 15 points
Little reminder Mike – BoD was dropped off the entire Lions Final Team Selection – not jus the first 15 choices – which was clearly rediculous – were there 11 Lions on today in the Wales Team !
I fully agree with you mike , people seem to forget the lions won and o Driscoll , o connel , sexton heaslip , o brien , murry and the rest of the irish lads are part of a winning lions team , so the media and everyone should let it go , I am a huge o Driscoll fan , irish fan and Munster fan . The lions tour was a winning tour and that’s what it should be remembered for , managers have to make tough decisions .
Ciarraioch that often happens in rugby though where a player who is much better than other players misses out on a spot on the bench, mainly due to a more versatile player who can play in several positions being preferred. In O’Driscoll’s case he would really be only able to cover at number 13. It would be the same with Ireland if he was ever dropped, he wouldn’t be named on the bench.
Ciarrioch – Gatland was playing a different game plan in the third test and wanted large physical battering rams instead of subtle skills and sidesteps.
That game plan didn’t suit BOD’s style so he was dropped. The game plan was proved right as demonstrated by the final scoreline. Get over it.
As stated above, not letting it go is just childish.
Mike, have you still got your head up your arse or should we call a plumber?
Call an electrician…… I think mike is still wired
The majority have agreed with me so I’m assuming no I don’t. Do you? How does it smell?
I was tense but then totally relaxed when I heard Hook saying Wales were going to win.
Then Why wasnt philips Dropped after a terrible series when Murray was the far superior scrumhalf when he came on in the second test?
Lions series fatigue is overstated. An Aus team with Deans literally bags packed at the door. The welsh crash bam wollop style eventually won the day but he needed nearly a full national squad( plus an Irish out half) to achieve it. I don’t buy this welsh guys are tireder than the Irish argument. what about the 15 irish lads who still went on tour and we still have 3 teams in the HC QFs?
Eoin, same reason I mentioned above – Gatland’s game plan was to go for a large intimidating physical presence to batter the Aussies into submission.
Yes, Murray is also large for a scrum half but few would deny that Phillips is probably the most physical scrum half in world rugby.
The idea that having BOD on the bench would have weakened the lions in the last match against Australia is laughable.
Yes Gatland was was playing bash ball like he always does, maybe Davies was playing better, but he was 24 and experience counts for alot. As Ireland showed on Saturday the game (Thankfully) is not all about big brusiers bashing the ball up the field. Mike above said that O’Driscoll could only cover 13, well Warren only knowns “Warrenball”. What would have happened if Australia had nullified the big contact areas and had great line speed like Ireland had on Saturday? Where is your cover then? His players might be able to cover different positions but only know how to play one style. Thats why Welch club rugby is so poor compared to their international team.
What new set of skills was Manu Tuilagi going to bring to the field? A younger heavier centre!! All that would have happened by bringing BOD on would be alittle less penetration goin forward but you would be stronger in defence along with the players organised around him. You are off your head if you think Davies can read a game/play and react like Brian.
Gatland has a narrow view of the sport and winning the Lions tour DOES NOT mean he was right to drop Brian. Im glad Ireland and Joe completely destroyed Wales and their game plan, Gatland needed to practice more what he preached. He seems to have alot harder time dropping players from Wales. Warburton should not have started on Saturday and should not have been the Lions Captain. I will admit I would have put BOD on the bench even if he was injured, stupid I know but Irelands(and maybe the worlds) greatest ever centre/player deserved to wear the jersey on his last ever Lions match. Even give him a run out in the last few mins after the big guys had bashed the life out of the opposition.
Darcy better than 7/10.
The beard was all over the place, putting in hits, the welsh centres had nothing.
Yeah especially when you consider he was 20kg lighter than his opposite number. Made the crucial tackles when needed, great agility to control a poc wayward pass. Deserves an 8 imo
D’Arcy was probably Irelands worst player, he wasn’t bad by any means just not as good as those around him! Marshall would of been a better 12!
The partnership from BOD is worth a lot…. The 2 know each other inside out.
For all Marshals size advantage, he doesn’t neither tackle harder nor smarter than D’Arcy.
Not sure what match you were watching! Absolutely nothing went by D’Arcy today. He was exceptional.
Bizarre assessment
Outstanding performance from O Mahony and all the team
7 is very harsh on Gordon D’arcy. Thought he did a blinder on Roberts.
In a bar in malaysia in the early hours, and as luck would have it with a welshman opposite me at the bar. Never heard a silence quite like it.
Testimony to the perormance from the boys in green. WELL DONE IRELAND!
If I was in that bar in malisia you would have heard me shout…… Was there a game on?
Two Wingers Were Key Today! As were POC and POM!
Sexton only 8 his first half kicking was brilliant and his defence. I taught it was a toss up for him and O,Mahoney, for man of the match. But regardless awesome performance throughout the team. Schmidt master class tactically
For everyone that criticised the back three for Ireland I think they just shut all of ye up. Brilliant game. What a brilliant team win. O Mahoney is a beast.
What are you smoking!!! Gordon Darcy had his best game ever for Ireland. Definitely deserved more than a 7.
It wasnt on par with his performance against nz to be fair..
And that proves what exactly? He was very good, 8 out of 10 easily
I never said it didnt. He was 9 out of 10 against nz.
Very few 7′s this week journal people…..ha ha…. Well done Ireland, awesome stuff…
So many players had a great game today! Toner, O’mahony, Trimble, Sexton and O’connell to name a few!
Saint joe. 10. Out thought Gatland.
Peter O’Mahony set to replace @aaroadwatch as Ireland’s most popular breakdown service #IREvWAL
WAIT…
Whats this George Hook praising the the irish rugby team…..This has to be a miracle.
Thought Darcy was excellent the amount of work he done was unreal. Would really like to see Madigan or Zebo coming to bench just for something different
Still waiting to see if Gatland shows his mug for an interview :)
No doubt we would if Wales got a win
Conceding 9 points in 2 matches is fair going.
Personally thought Sexton was MOTM but whole team, including subs, were brilliant.
I’ve never been a fan of Trimble n cudnt believe how he’s got 50+ caps for Ireland but that opinions changed for me after today.
Time to replace hook he’s become tiresome bland and wrong !!
7 out of 10 for D’Arcy is quite simply a mistake. He was the glue that held the defence together, had a massive game. 9 all over.
Great win overall team performance fantastic only three games left. It’s slowly turning into a dream six nations as long as no one falls asleep.
I thought the ref had a good game too.
Barnes had an excellent game and I normally hate his overly controlling style….
The lack of comments about O Driscoll, proves he was relatively quite, Darcy deserved the 8 instead
Fr. Stone has more imagine than Gatlands Welsh
Joe Schmidt 10/10
So what has Sexton got to improve to go beyond 8? A reason please.
Cian you usually have interesting points but your way off the mark on Heaslip he was as good as ever in fairness other players played out of their skins so maybe didn’t stand out as much
Your all entitled to your opinion. But when you watch it back you will see Heaslip contributed very little. He didnt carry. He didnt contribute any turnovers. True he didnt do anything wrong but in a dominant backrow he didnt shine.
Maybe 4 was harsh but he didnt deserve the rating he got here.
Agree about Heaslip. Carried better and contributed more against Scotland, but was solid and did a good job. Same with Darcy. He was better against New Zealand. Still 8 out of 10. Thought Sexton was more than 8. The game plan was very dependent on him and Murray kicking well and he ran the show, Made a couple of kicking errors but what would you expect. One of his best games for Ireland but a brilliant team performance crafted by Schmith.
Trimble played out of his skin again! Would have scored Chris Henry a 9 too, he was immense!!!
Ah Murrary Darcy was very good. Never gave an inch against a man 20 kg heavier and some consider one of the best 12′s in Europe.
I hope this was a typo
Great team performance, Ireland are looking very good and hopefully the triple crown can be won next day out.
Peter o mahony only 24!!some beast!
This idiot journalist Murray
Mike Ross
“Collapsed a scrum to concede a penalty.”
Props don’t collapse scrums on purpose unless it’s on their line and need to tactically
How dare you write like it’s all his fault n his decision . There are 6 men with great weight behind them, they try to manage this power thru an unstable narrow pivot point.
The suggestion he was guilty is bull crap.
” on a collapsed scrum the ref determined Mike Ross lost his footing and a penalty was awarded against him”
This is what should have been wrote.
Shame on you and you editor .
@Byron Deithrick
Maybe familiarise yourself with the laws of the game. Ross collapsed the scrum, regardless of his intentions, conceding a penalty. Barnes pinged Ross for the collapse.
Secondly, calling someone an idiot because you disagree is with that wording they’ve (correctly) used is pretty poor form.
Don’t know the laws , ?
I’ve been in more scrums than you know laws, and forgotten more you’ll ever know
” you are wrong again Mike Ross did not collapse a scrum to concede a penalty” are you insane.
You should be ashamed of your self for writing that
@Byron
I’m not sure whom you are supposed to be quoting there but it’s nobody on this page, certainly not me, only yourself. Maybe your disappointment hangover from your Arsenal being hammered is causing you some form of anger delusions.
Regardless of the number of scrums you’ve been in (and probably collapsed) you are clearly neither familiar with nor understand the laws of the game. Maybe it one of the ones you’ve “forgotten”.
And I’ve involved in rugby for 50+ years; as player, coach, referee & supporter.
Am I right in saying we are only team to not concede a try so far?
That would make Philip Ryan crack a smile :-)
Trimble should be 8. Would have Heaslip and Henry at 7. Neither set the world alight.
Henry again struggled to make an impact on the ruck.
There ya go again with the negatives man. We hammer wales and all you can say is this sh1te. You must be a joy to know in real life
His arse is always talking
It was a brilliant performance from Ireland. I just thought Henry struggled a bit.
Ok should I just say everyone was brilliant. Nothing went wrong. Everything was amazing?
Come on I said we played brilliant but not every player was amazing.
Youre very negative is all. Even when you praised the team ya sprinkled in a few negative comments. Too much of that on this site
Henry second again for tackles made. Same as last week. Heaslip 12, Henry 11. You are just a bar stooler who only sees the carries and offloads. Oh I think Henry got a try too.
A bar stooler? Lay off the insults. You only look at stats. If you watched the game you will see Henry was only solid. He is not an amazing 7. We can do better and so can he.
I actually play in the backrow. Not a couch warmer like yourself.
Heaslip no more than a 4. Anonymous.
Heaslip had a good game brah, your bias is becoming comical
Ah heaslip did well! If you want anonymous look at his opposite number! that sane team has to start now v England
Get a clue Cian. Good man
Blinkers on, Cian? He takes on more work than most. I thought he was great again today. There was not a bad performance in green today.
No blinkers and no bias. Heaslip was plain average today. Contributed little to the game. Can anybody point out how I have been biased at any point?
Goodman Cian!
Stay near the phone Schmidt might give ya a call
It seems clear ya dont like heaslip hence my accusation your biased against him. 4 out 10 would be a shocking performance which heaslip most certainly wasnt
Heaslip carried, tackled and organised the maul without making a single mistake. Where are you docking the 6 marks from?
Are you George hook in disguise ?
James your plain wrong. Ive defended Heaslip on here many times. He had no influence on todays game however.
Ill give you an example of his lack of effect. Halfpenny clearly ran/slapped the ball into touch 10 metres out. The captain (Heaslip) was nowhere to be seen. He should have demanded a tmo. Ireland would have had a lineout.
Maul dominant. Possible try. 5/7 more points….
TMO can only be used for foul play and try decisions. Heaslip made many tables and carries. I couldn’t find starts breakdown bit I’d venture he made more of each than anyone else in green. He was at the forgetting driving the maul for Henry’s try. He took lineout ball. He deserves an 8 for that performance.
Tackles!
Reckon the thumb count tells all Cian. Heaslip did well today.
Now let’s see if we can’t take the wheels off that bloody chariot in two weeks!
12 tackles by Heaslip. Most in the match. That from the official 6 nations app. I will continue to prove you wrong as more info comes to my attention, Cian.
Incorrect. Tmo can now be used to check instances of foul play. Of which deliberately slapping the ball into touch counts. Look it up.
You can try but considering a backrow putting another backrow onto the ground at a ruck counts as a tackle, stats can be deceptive.
Lol. Read my comment again about TMO.
Your being silly now, demanding a Tmo for a lineout that heaslip , every other player , the ref and the touch judge were all on the wrong side to see who touched it last.
The heaslip bashing that’s been going on for a few years now is getting silly.
Ireland hammered Wales with 7 forwards? I don’t think so.
Anyone giving any Irish player today less than 7 + suffers from the “don’t confuse me with the facts my mind is made up syndrome”.
IRISH LIONS……..nuff said Gatland!!!!
Any word on dan touhy.
How did sexton only score 8 out of 10 , when the game plan is executed with such precision and control a huge amount of that is down to how well your 10 dictates play, was arguably more influential then O’Mahoney
Irfu were wrong to drop gatland. gatland as wrong to drop O’Driscoll (from the bench). Irfu and gatland were assh***s. O’Driscoll had honour throughout and held his head high throughout. Hs Irish team mates proves today the esteem in which he is held in by all….
Today was a big triumph for BOD and the Irish team over Warren Gatland and the Welsh.
Have to knock a few points of POM because he can’t sing for sh1t, national anthem and call were unrecognisable coming out of his gob. Not a bad player though …
;)
It was brilliant they all played out if their socks, total commitment & focus
Heaslip bashing tired & unnecessary
Lions won fair enough best players today O’Mahoney not even in squad Best never got a look in for tests Darcy never got a call up, Trimble never got international call since South Africa last year but has been one of the best consistently is rabo! Watching this Munster game can’t wait for Hanrahan Irish Rugby at its strongest marshal Marmion Henderson coming through
The whole team played very well. Healy, Sexton, Murray, POC and POM were outstanding. POM was punched by a Welshman and was understandably aggrieved but he was unwise to repeatedly question the referee’s decision. In rugby, the referee’s decision is always final and accepted by the players even if it was wrong. POM risked a yellow card which in a tight match could have been critical. I am surprised how badly the Welsh played; they could not even throw the ball in straight at the line outs and certainly did not look like a pride of Lions. Pussycats maybe.
Cue tom jones…..
This Bod/Gatland nonsense has to STOP …I’m Irish in case it matters…he played at best average in 1st 2 Tests in Oz …any Coach would’ve made that change ….sentimentality seems to have blinded most Irish observers…the clue is that most Non-Irish agreed with Gatland..lets not diminish the greatest centre of his generation with anymore of this nonsense.