Ireland vs. Scotland: All the biggest moments, talking points and player ratings

Patrick McCarry

IRELAND 36-14 SCOTLAND

Andy Farrell named a strong Ireland team to face Scotland, and his players wiped the floor with them. We will have all the biggest moments, talking points and full Ireland player ratings in our live feed [below].

Having set an Irish record for a World Cup winning margin, against Romania, then defeated Tonga 59-16, Farrell’s men pipped South Africa 13-8 in a tense classic. Ireland needed just two points to top Pool B, but finished with all five points to top it, and set up a quarter final with New Zealand.

FULL IRELAND RATINGS

Hugo Keenan – 8

Fortunate with a possible foot in touch, then hared back to prevent a Russell 50:22. Raced over for two tries.

Mack Hansen – 6

Nice support line to then set up Lowe for the opener. Went off for a HIA after 22 minutes.

Garry Ringrose – 9

Great break ahead of that opening try. Lovely control on one kick and a fine return that one his team ground. Brilliant play teed up Keenan’s first try. Switched to the wing when Hansen went off. Scored a second half try after pouching a Crowley kick. Missed a few tackles in defence, but some of that was on purpose to fill passing lanes.

Bundee Aki – 8

All power and industry as his fine tournament continues.

James Lowe – 7

Got the try-scoring started after running a nice support line. Took a blow to the face and carried on but did not return for the second half.

Johnny Sexton – 7

Missed an early touchline conversion but business soon picked up. Couple of strong tackles when called up. Brought off when Ireland scored their fifth try.

Jamison Gibson-Park – 8

Only had one iffy kick but was pretty much spot-on after that. Switched to cover the wing in the second half. Showed some spark there, too.

Andrew Porter – 8

Came up with a huge first-half turnover. Almost got over for a try after a strong carry.

Dan Sheehan – 7

Turned over on a midfield carry. Cantered over for the killer try, early in the second half. Lineout was solid on Ireland’s few throws.

Tadhg Furlong – 7

First scrum went against Ireland but business picked up thereafter. Stuck 11 tackles in his 48 minutes.

Tadhg Beirne – 8

Sterling defence and a vital breakdown turnover. A few big carries and tackled well.

Iain Henderson – 8

Crashed over from close range for an important try. Could keep his place for the quarters.

Peter O’Mahony – 7

Got away an offload to Mack Hansen that almost led to a try. Put in thumping defensive hits.

Josh van der Flier – 8

Picked off a Scottish Lineout on the charge and heaved into a clump of Scottish bodies. Led the tackles for Ireland with 22.

Caelan Doris – 9

Won an early turnover near his try line. Another game, in defence and attack, that proved his undoubted class. Sunk in 21 tackles, too.

REPLACEMENTS

Stuart McCloskey (for Hansen ’24) – 7

Initially came on as a HIA replacement for Hansen but he ended up staying out there.

Conor Murray (for Lowe ’40) – 7

Replaced the winger but played No.9.

Jack Crowley (for Sexton ’45) – 7.5

Enjoyed himself out there. Nice kick for Sexton’s try.

Dave Kilcoyne (for Porter ’48) – 6

Ronan Kelleher (for Sheehan ’48) – 7

Finlay Bealham (for Furlong ’48) – 7

James Ryan (for Beirne ’48) – 6

Jack Conan (for O’Mahony ’48) – 6

Click on the key point you want to read about, or just keep scrolling to see updates in our live hub [below]

Andy Farrell on Scotland, and previous Ireland player ratings

Ahead of the game, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell helped preview the game against Scotland, at Stade de France. Asked about possible scoreline permutations, he simply stated, “We want to win.

“It’s a massive game, so important to us and obviously to the travelling fans and the people back home. Fortunately we have Iain Henderson who is good at maths so we’re across everything as far as that’s concerned. But the easiest thing is to make sure we perform well and deserve to win the game outright.”

Looking back at our Ireland player ratings for the warm-up games and that RWC opener, it gives us an idea of who is in form and who could do with a big performance.

Jacob Stockdale, who did not make the final squad, and Caelan Doris were the top performers in the warm-up win over Italy. Against England, Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier were the top dogs. Hansen did well against Samoa, along with Ryan Baird and Conor Murray.

In the Romania game, Keenan, Bundee Aki, Johnny Sexton and Joe McCarthy all scored 8/10s. Against Tonga, Johnny Sexton and Mack Hansen both scored 9/10 while James Ryan, Andrew Porter and Bundee Aki all got 8s.

In that epic, tense win over South Africa, Caelan Doris, Andrew Porter and James Lowe all scored 8/10, while Bundee Aki got 8.5 after another great effort.