Ireland delivered their most rounded performance of the championship to defeat a game Scotland 35-25 at the Aviva Stadium.
Kicks from Johnny Sexton, a fortuitous Keith Earls try and a fine CJ Stander effort had Ireland ahead at half-time and they finished the job after the break.
Conor Murray and Devin Toner scores secured a win that will leave Ireland third in the table if England can defeat France and secure the Grand Slam.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green.
Simon Zebo – 7
Settling into his role as fullback but always looks like he is one inch away from doing something truly magical. Quick thinking, on 58 minutes, gave Ireland an attacking lineout in a good position. Knocked on two minutes later but Sexton’s pass was not on the money. Gained 56 metres off only seven carries.
Andrew Trimble – 7
Lovely hit on Duncan Weir was a statement maker and helped him settle. Often chose to bat the high ball back rather than try to catch with 6′ 5″ Tim Visser for company. Linked up well with Henshaw and almost got Payne in for a score. Knocked on in the Scottish 22 in the last quarter.
Jared Payne – 7
A facilitator more than anything. Directing operations, making soak tackles and teeing up teammates with crisp passes. Lack of pizzazz evident again. So close to a try in the corner but the final pass to his waiting arms was intercepted. One huge hit on weir had the crowd roaring.
Robbie Henshaw – 8
Smart kick in behind the pressing Scottish lines demonstrated his growing in-game experience and decision-making. Strong run up the right wing almost teed up Payne for a try. Lucky not to be spotted yanking back a charging Hogg just outside the Irish 22.
Keith Earls – 7
On the day of his 50th cap, Earls was given a lovely present of a gimme try. Scottish confusion between Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour led to a simple dot-down for the winger. Caught in the headlights on one steepling high ball.
Johnny Sexton – 8
Canny tactical kicking pinned the Scots back. Overtook David Humphreys as Ireland’s second highest scorer on the all-time list. Missed badly with his second attempt but quickly re-grouped. Excellent, left-footed kick caused chaos and set up Earls try. Shot the line to make one big tackle and contain Scotland. Did he milk that Alex Dunbar wrestling roll? A tad. Binned himself with five minutes to go.
Conor Murray – 8
Looked primed for a big game from the get-go. Positive opening 20 minutes sullied by an aimless box-kick to Stuart Hogg that left the front row forwards exposed in midfield. Hogg tore through a yawning gap and the Scots led. Made up for it with a solid outing thereafter and his third sniping try of the championship.
Jack McGrath – 6
Came close with a pick and go just before Stander’s try. Another player who made a silly amount of carries to get his team on the front-foot. Scrum looked solid too. Tackles in double figures.
Rory Best – 5
Solid lineout throwing all day. Willingness to carry with intent, right into the heaving maw, gave us an early penalty. Was left exposed by Murray’s box-kick and couldn’t lay a finger on try-scoring Hogg. Felt he had to shoot up for that Richie Gray try but was too slow.
Mike Ross – 6
Gifted Scots an easy penalty for not releasing after a tackle on his own 22. Left in a hopeless situation by the Murray box-kick and trailed, slowly, in Hogg’s wake. Scrummed well against Dickinson and Sutherland.
Donnacha Ryan – 8
Strong run in the opening stanzas brought Ireland a line break. His mitts held onto some lineout darts under serious duress. Combative from start til his 69th minute withdrawal.
Devin Toner – 8
A swan dive try for Big Dev? We thought we had seen it all! Held onto everything in the lineout. Did not feature as much at restarts as Scotland were eager to avoid him.
CJ Stander – 9
Made six strong carries in the opening 10 minutes as Ireland started well. That booming start bubbled and frothed all afternoon as he reached crazy stats and gave Scotland a torrid time. Stupendous Cam Newton-esque leap for his second Test try. Slowed a bit in the second half but was still a menace.
Tommy O’Donnell – 5
Nice support lines and tackling around the fringes. Made a crucial turnover at 28-13 to temporarily quell any Scottish comeback notions. Gave way a penalty soon after, though, for going off his feet. Lucky not to be binned when he did it again, five minutes later.
Jamie Heaslip – 8
Almost through a gap with 50-metres of open space ahead of him but the juggling act was unsuccessful. Second only to Stander in terms of carries. Back to something like his best after a muted start to the championship. Wonderful offload to Tommy O’Donnell had the Scots in all kinds of trouble. Another fine one set up the Toner try.
Replacements
Nathan White – 5
[For Ross ’63] More suited to shorter cameos.
Cian Healy – 5
[For McGrath ’67] Kept a high scrummaging bar and made some good carries. Turned over at the death.
Richardt Strauss – 5
[For Best ’67] Lusty carries.
Ultan Dillane – 6
[For Ryan ’69] Revelled in the bad-blooded carnage at the end.
Rhys Ruddock – 5
[For O’Donnell] Managed to throw himself about a bit in the last 10.
Fergus McFadden N/A
[For Trimble ’78]
Eoin Reddan N/A
[For Murray ’78]
