And the Irish are back.
No bonus point, no amazing performance to get carried away about but a win and a bounce-back from the opening day loss against England that had the team nervous going to Murrayfield.
FULL TIME
Scotland 13-22 Ireland
Here’s how the players rated.
Rob Kearney 8
They say you only really appreciate Rob Kearney when he’s gone but it was hard not to warm to his presence in Murrayfield as he offered that seamless steal that was missing last week. Read the game, kicked big at the right time and made more line breaks than he has done in a long time.
Keith Earls 7
Super last-gasp tackle that he was unfortunate to see result in a Scotland try anyways and blitzed the right wing to join Joey Carbery’s surprise break from late and get in for five.
Chris Farrell 7
A clever man. An aggressive man.
Bundee Aki 5
Another tough day for the centre who was receiving a lot of ball on his heels. Was yet again being asked to pick pinpoint passes which he didn’t do well and conceding a penalty and a late handling error too.
Jacob Stockdale 7
Defensively on it in this one. He was sharp across the backfield, he was ferocious in his tackles and typically broke the line along with an electrifying try.
Stockdale. Was. RUNNING. pic.twitter.com/0eyhy13Ktg
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 9, 2019
Johnny Sexton 6
Missed a conversion and then opened up the Scottish defence beautifully with one bravely-timed and cooly-weighted pass to set Stockdale through. His race was run after 29 minutes though.
Conor Murray 6
Got over for the early try, ruthlessly punishing Scotland’s slackness but didn’t dominate like he can and produced a heart-in-mouth moment with a blocked box kick.
Stockdale to Seymour to Murray – what a combination 🔥pic.twitter.com/yaygZfIavX
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 9, 2019
Cian Healy 7
Strength, communication and character are a baseline for Cian Healy.
Rory Best 7
Playing in his 60th game of Ireland’s 61 Six Nations game, he showed composure through tough phases. A couple of penetrative darts and the line out was solid.
Tadhg Furlong 6
Not his best game in an Irish jersey but formed part of a strong front row that was key to victory.
James Ryan 8
Massive shift – which is what you’d expect from James Ryan at his best. And this was it.
Quinn Roux 6
A lot of pressure on his shoulders coming into the game and he largely dealt with it.
Peter O’Mahony 8
A real leader of the pack. Was manic in the forwards, the one having words with opposition and green jerseys alike, even grubber kicking up for touch too.
Man of the Match is Peter O'Mahony.
Obviously…#SCOvIRE #VMTV #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/p0OEodBP5g
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 9, 2019
Sean O’Brien 7
Immense having the Tullow Tank back in action, gaining yards, wrapping up bodies and doing so without relent.
Jack Conan 7
14 tackles in the first half when Ireland were under the cosh and was a real source of power carrying. Wasn’t asked to do so enough.
Subs
Joey Carbery 7
After a disastrous first half when he was brought in from the cold all of a sudden for the injured Sexton, he threw an intercept pass and looked shaky but dealt with it remarkably to grow into the game and essentially win the game for Ireland. Still has work to do to give proper direction at number 10 but showed maturity and showed some great defensive work.
Dave Kilcoyne 7
Excellent off the bench to nullify the Scots.
Ultan Dillane 6
Has been waiting for his chance to come back again and he showed Joe Schmidt yet again that he can be trusted.
Sean Cronin 6
That last scrum turned everything right around for Ireland to win the game.
Jordan Larmour 5
Nightmare face for opposition to see coming off the bench but he didn’t get opening up.
