Robbie Henshaw pipped by sensational Keith Earls in player ratings

Patrick McCarry

IRELAND 56-19 ITALY

Ireland shredded Italy at the Aviva Stadium to go top of the Six Nations table but their win came at a cost.

The try-scoring bonus point was secured after only 35 minutes as Ireland tore into Conor O’Shea’s side but they lost Tadhg Furlong [hamstring] and Robbie Henshaw [shoulder]. The centre scored two tries but his knock looked bad and he could be out for the championship.

Along with Henshaw’s double, Ireland had Conor Murray, Bundee Aki, Keith Earls, Jacob Stockdale (2) and Rory Best all crossing for tries. At 42-0 down, Tomasso Allan, Edoardo Gori and Matteo Minozzi got over for the Azzurri but they were mere consolations.

Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green.

Rob Kearney – 6

So close to his first Test try in 15 games until referee Romain Poite accidentally got in the way of a Conor Murray pass. Didn’t have a single defensive tackle to make, which sums up how poor Italy were and building phases and pressure.

Keith Earls – 9

Got the sort of try wingers dream about – stayed wide and profited from Aki’s line break. His acceleration and ability to step at serious pace makes him so tough to contain. Switched to outside centre when Henshaw was injured. Made another dream of a cross-field kick claim too:

Credit: TV3

Managed to then dish an offload back over his head. One of 4(!) in the game. Hared back to prevent a late try after an Italian intercept. Some buck.

Robbie Henshaw 9

Timed his run and signalled well for Ireland’s opening try. Lovely step, at full tilt, left two players for dead and nearly got him over for his second. Smart intercept on Sergio Parisse pop got him away for his second try but he badly injured his shoulder in doing so. 96 metres made off 8 carries in his best game in green for some time.

Bundee Aki – 8

The shackles are off!! Great early line break set a positive tone. Thundered over with a crash, bash, wallop try then made a streaking line break to set up Earls for one.

Jacob Stockdale – 8

6 Test appearances. 6 tries.

Inches away from a try in the left-hand corner after nine minutes. Got some nice offloads away. Came close again on a couple of occasions, out wide, but the try finally came when he drifted in-field. Helped himself to another with 10 minutes to go when he backed himself to finish off after a 70-metre dash.

Johnny Sexton – 7

Recovered well from an early knee knock to boss backline proceedings. Put a tad too much on a dink through that could have got Earls a try. Nailed all his conversions, some of them tough and looked in command for each and every one of his 55 minutes out there.

Conor Murray – 7.5

Great awareness and support line for Conan set up easy, unopposed try. Crisp passing and enjoyed the time and space his teammates, and Italy, afforded him.

Jack McGrath – 7.5

Pounced on a loose ball to set Ireland up for an attack that led to Murray’s first half try. Did well at the scrum and put in a decent shift that should keep him primed, if needed, for Wales.

Rory Best – 7

Some great carries and clear-outs in the opening assault. Good captaincy too as he constantly kept Romain Poite abreast of foul Italian deeds or perceived infringements. Got over for a try in the second half.

Tadhg Furlong – NA

Lasted only three minutes before being helped off by two medics.

Iain Henderson – 7

Great cleaning out at the maul to tee up fast ball for Aki’s try. Was the go-to man to get his side over the gainline and invariably succeeded. Replaced at half-time with the job already done.

Devin Toner – 7

Got the full 80 and can be happy with his lot. Stuck all of his tackles, jumped and distributed well and was part of a solid scrum. Carries lacked punch but he is not renowned for that.

Peter O’Mahony – 7

For the second week running, O’Mahony made a clean break. He’s going all out in 2018.

Was on for the full 80 and got through a raft of work again.

Dan Leavy – 6

Strangely muted performance but it is likely that Schmidt tasked both Leavy and O’Mahony with hitting rucks and clearing out to ensure fast ball, after the sludge from Paris last week. Made a couple of hard carries but was restrained.

Jack Conan – 7

Lovely hands to tee up Murray for his try. Was involved again, soon after, for Aki’s. Hade a fine first half – good carries and tackling – so strange that Schmidt took him off at the break.