Jacob Stockdale and Rob Kearney top the ratings as Ireland move within one win of a Grand Slam

Jack O'Toole

Ireland maintained their perfect start to this year’s Six Nations and have moved one step closer to their first Grand Slam since 2009.

A first-half brace from Jacob Stockdale and second-half tries from Conor Murray and Sean Cronin gave Ireland a well deserved 28-8 win as Joe Schmidt’s side dominated a Scotland side that failed to take advantage of a number of opportunities.

Ireland could yet be crowned champions depending on the outcome of this afternoon’s France and England match, where England will need a bonus point win to stay alive, but for now, here’s how Joe Schmidt’s side fared on another great afternoon for Irish Rugby at the Aviva Stadium.

Backs:

Rob Kearney – 9

One of his best games in an Ireland shirt in some time. Ran at pace and was unlucky not to have put Conor Murray over for a try just before half-time. Scotland made it easy for him at times with a poor kick chase but he looked dangerous on the fringes, which you can’t always say about him at this stage of his career. Great performance.

Keith Earls – 6

Fielded a Scottish kick very well but had a nightmare spell after 15 minutes where he was bamboozled by a Stuart Hogg kick and then overhit Stockdale with a push pass. Looked to get involved but it just never worked out for him as he was penalised for obstruction in the first-half. Has been sensational in this tournament but it was a game that just got away from him.

Garry Ringrose – 9

Superb performance and answered any questions about a lack of gametime within minutes. Devastating runner when given space and had the confidence and comfortability to step in at first receiver before Stockdale’s second score. A lot of pressure on him to deliver and he stepped up with a fantastic effort.

Bundee Aki – 7

Quite game in the middle and just never got the carries that many expected. Tackled well but left the majority of the work to those outside of him who really shone.

Jacob Stockdale – 9

Outstanding. Will be disappointed by his missed tackle down the short side in the first-half but once again showed predatory instincts to pick off a wayward Scotland pass before standing up Blair Kinghorn with an excellent finish. 10 tries in eight games. Ireland have not seen a finisher like him.

Johnny Sexton – 8

A frontrunner for Ireland’s player of the tournament. Steered Ireland around with ease and was always looking to exploit any space in behind the defence. Scotland had his pateneted loop play figured out but he still found a lot of ways to effect the game. Showed his genius with an outstanding chip and chase in the first-half and walked off to a standing ovation.

Conor Murray – 8

Box kicks were on point as expected and showed some great support on a Johnny Sexton chip and chase that could have very well led to a try. Murray was as composed as ever around the ruck and bustled his way over the line to get the score that put the nail in the Scottish coffin.

Forwards:

Cian Healy – 7

Had some nice carries and showed great courage to throw himself into the breakdown after he came off worse for wear in a challenge just before half-time. Soldiered through what looked like a pretty bad stinger.

Rory Best – 8

Missed two line-outs early on that indicated that his nightmare in Murrayfield last year could reoccur but recovered brilliantly and managed to force a turnover with a great hit just outside the Ireland 22. He continues to thrive at 35.

Tadhg Furlong – 8

Porter impressed mightily against Wales but Furlong is still a step ahead. Carried with gusto but still showed the handling skills that have made him a solid distributor in this Irish pack. Great motor and took the fight to the Scotland pack.

James Ryan – 8

Started slow but was Ireland’s go to option in the line-out, showed good mobility in defence and dropped his shoulder in the carry on a number of occasions to trudge his way over the gainline. Was challenging all over the park until the end and already looks like a seasoned campaigner in what is still his first Six Nations.

Devin Toner – 8

Was a surprise inclusion in the starting XV given the return of Iain Henderson from injury, but like Kearney, had one of his best games in an Ireland jersey in sometime. Was everywhere for Ireland in the first-half and made a number of strong carries and tackles in defence that set the tone from the outset.

Peter O’Mahony – 7

His work often goes unnoticed in a pack brimming with big ball carries but O’Mahony was immense defensively and made a great cover tackle on Hogg to stop him breaking away to stat the second-half. Got beaten on the outside by Peter Horne on a break that could have led to a try for Scotland and was pulled ashore just before the hour mark.

Dan Leavy – 8

Ireland are a better team when Sean O’Brien is starting at openside flanker, but in the absence of the Tullow tank, Leavy has been phenomenal and was once again a menace at the breakdown. Leavy offers something different and fits a more traditional openside role, but he still gives you that bite and aggression in defence that is so critical at slowing down opposition ball.

CJ Stander – 7

A lot quieter in this year’s tournament than in years goneby. Opposition defences have figured out ways to nullify his ball carrying but Stander still hit an awful lot of rucks and continues to be used effectively as a decoy runner.