Full player ratings as Ireland left battered and bruised by England

ENGLAND 18-7 IRELAND

For the fourth time in a row, England fronted up and proved far too smart and strong for Andy Farrell’s men. Our Ireland ratings reflect the struggle it was at Twickenham for the away side.

Ireland started brightly and showed a lot of fight in the opening exchanges but they were ultimately undone by their weakness at set-pieces. After conceding a scrum penalty, on 16 minutes, England set up camp in the Irish 22 and Owen Farrell’s cross-kick exposed Hugo Keenan and Jonny May did the rest.

Minutes later and, after a shocking Irish lineout in the English 22, it was that man May again as he beat a couple of tackles, kicked on and finished off despite the best efforts of Peter O’Mahony.

England turned the screw after the break and were content to stretch their scoreboard lead through the boot of Owen Farrell. The closing quarter saw England repel attack after attack and it took until Billy Burns and Jacob Stockdale combined, on 74 minutes, for the home tryline to be breached.

Here are our full list of Ireland ratings after a tough outing at Twickenham.

Hugo Keenan – 5

Was kept busy in aerial battles in the opening stages and only erred once. On 17 minutes, was caught under a Farrell cross-kick and Jonny May out-jumped him for England’s first try. England feasted on him when he carried into contact. Awful kick straight to May blew a promising start to the second half. Great aerial take, on 48 minutes, sparked an attack. Last action was a low tackle that took Jonathan Joseph down.

Keith Earls – 5

Made a superb break in the first half but was just scragged before he reached the English tryline. That was about it, in attack, on a quiet afternoon.

Chris Farrell – 5

Will be kicking himself for not scoring after the Byrne kick on 68 minutes. Left for dead by Jonny May before his second try. A willing runner all afternoon and did provide front-foot ball on a few occasions. Had the ball stripped from his grasp under the shadow of the English posts.

Bundee Aki – 5

Little spark from the Connacht centre today. England constantly had 14 men on their feet and Aki was left trucking it into traffic with little change given.

James Lowe – 6

Not his assured self in the opening 20 minutes. Was required to use his kicking boot much more than we’re used to when he is in Leinster blue. A couple of decent carries in the second half.

Ross Byrne – 5

Can see how he plays that few metres further back from the line than Johnny Sexton. Just goes to show how that cedes the attacking advsantage. Some decent kicks in the opening forays then that went out the window. Nice dink in behind the English defence, late on, but Farrell was held up.

Jamison Gibson-Park – 4

As Conor Murray could tell you, if your teammates are getting stone-walled and if the set-piece is crumbling, it will be a long, long day. Conceded a breakdown penalty and almost coughed up a try to Sam Underhill when he was caught in possession near his line.

Cian Healy – 5

Conceded one first half penalty at the scrum as the English pack scented weakness.

Ronan Kelleher – 4

Irish lineout, especially inside the opposition 22, was a hot mess. Some lusty tackles made in the first half, and won a breakdown turnover. Weak on the clear-out when Keenan was turned over near the English tryline.

Andrew Porter – 7

Memories of Leinster vs. Saracens as Jamie George and Mako Vunipola went after him and had him under scrum pressure. Battled away manfully in the loose and ploughed on for the full 80 minutes.

James Ryan – 5

Teamed up with Kelleher for an early, thumping hit on Billy Vunipola. Conceded two breakdown penalties and another at the lineout in the opening 35 minutes.

Quinn Roux – 5

Took a big knock in the first half but battled on after receiving treatment. His heft at the scrum was not as effective as it was against Wales. Conceded a soft penalty and was called ashore after 51 minutes.

CJ Stander – 5

Got a hand in, chasing back, to prevent an early English try. Made five carries for all of two metres. Completely nullified.

Peter O’Mahony – 8

Ireland’s stand-out player. Calling someone a fighter or dogged often seems like an intangible, but that’s what O’Mahony showed all afternoon. Even in lost causes, he was swinging for the fences. Won his side a crucial turnover just metres from his own tryline. Nice grubber kick up the line for himself. Won another turnover in the final 10 minutes.

Caelan Doris – 6

Not the first Ireland No.8 to be eclipsed by the world-class Vunipola. Ran into more than a few brick walls. Kept plugging away. Won a penalty inside his own 22 as he shut down a dangerous England attack.

REPLACEMENTS

Iain Henderson (for Roux ’51) – 6

Dropped on after a shabby pass, just after coming on.

Conor Murray (for Gibson-Park ’51) – 6

Rob Herring (for Kelleher ’57) – 6

Came close to a try when he came on, and the lineout improved. Turned over near the English tryline in the closing stages.

Jacob Stockdale (for Keenan ’57) – 7

Grabbed his 18th Test try in 31 outings after coming on for another run at fullback.

Finlay Bealham (for Healy ’65) – 5

Will Connors (for Stander ’65) – 5

Billy Burns (for Byrne ’72) – 7

Came on and created a try for Stockdale within two minutes.

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