The second stop on Ireland’s journey to the Rugby World Cup was a mostly scrappy affair as the men in green edged out Scotland 28-22 at Lansdowne Road.
Joe Schmidt will have plenty of work-ons when he queues up the video on Monday morning, but which players will be sitting at the front with a smile and who will be hiding at the back of the classroom?
15 Simon Zebo 8
Auditioning at full-back, he looked the part under the high ball and made a fine second-half tackle to stop Tim Visser in full flow. Enjoyed being able to join the line and see more of the ball and was a constant threat in space, eventually rewarded with a fine try. But Schmidt is sure to queue up the moment he gave away a penalty with an overexuberant dive into the breakdown.
14 Tommy Bowe 6
One of those days when Ireland’s wingers didn’t see as much action as they might like, Bowe did what was asked of him. A certain starter when it counts.
13 Jared Payne 5
Had little opportunity with ball in hand in the first half but was strong in defence. One second-half burst aside, failed to make any real inroads into the Scottish midfield.
12 Gordon D’Arcy 5
Ireland’s longest-serving international, D’Arcy got through a good deal of work and remains a reliable option in midfield and experienced voice in the dressing room.
11 Luke Fitzgerald 6
With fierce competition for places in the back three, Fitzgerald would have wanted a better showing. Poor kick failed to find touch when Ireland desperately needed to regroup and they paid the price in the form of Peter Horne’s second-half try. Had a try put on a plate for him by Ian Madigan but finished well.
10 Ian Madigan 7
Kicked well from the hand and the turf, the highlight being the gem of a kick for Fitzgerald’s try. Controlled the game fairly well and delivered a super inside ball to Dave Kearney for Zebo’s try. But will surely hear more about kicking straight to touch after Scotland’s opening score.
9 Isaac Boss 6
Helped Ireland dominate the early exchanges by setting a fierce tempo. Kicked well for the most part but one poor effort to dangerman Tim Visser led eventually to Scotland’s second try. A Schmidt favourite but might still have work to do to hold off Connacht’s Kieran Marmion.
1 Dave Kilcoyne 8
Ireland’s front row was completely dominant, especially in the early going, and ‘Killer’ had the measure of Jon Welsh from the get-go. Was also a willing and enthusiastic competitor at the breakdown and showed his pace with a couple of fine second-half charges.
2 Sean Cronin 6
Line-out throwing could have been slightly better, but Cronin’s real value is in the loose and he again showed well, especially as Scottish legs tired after the break. Showed good instincts to burst free from a driving maul to score.
3 Mike Ross 6
Another sturdy 50-minute display by the rock in Ireland’s front row. His importance to the Irish cause was underlined by his retention from last week’s side. Won’t appreciate replays of the moment he was trucked by rampaging Scottish number eight David Denton, though.
4 Devin Toner 5
Solid if unspectacular, Toner was Ireland’s go-to option at the lineout and played a big part in the scrum dominance.
5 Dan Tuohy 4
A disappointing day for the Ulster lock. Wasn’t asked to do much at the lineout and was guilty of a couple of missed tackles. With Donnacha Ryan looming, Tuohy might have played himself from the maybes to the miss outs.
6 Jack Conan 6
Slow start for the Leinster debutant, but he never shied away from the action and grew into the game. His fine offload to Chris Henry put Ireland on the front foot ahead of Cronin’s try. Should be pleased with his big day even if it might end not being enough to get on the plane across the Channel.
7 Chris Henry 6
On his first start since suffering a stroke in November, Henry had a moment to remember with the opening try of the game, barrelling over on his third carry of a lengthy Irish possession. His World Cup prospects won’t have been helped by being massively outshone at the breakdown by his main rival for the No.7 shirt, though.
8 Sean O’Brien 8
A supreme display of work at the breakdown, captain O’Brien was a constant thorn in Scotland’s side, winning three penalties and creating general mayhem in the contact area. A willing decoy in attack but was frustrated by a sloppy handling error as Ireland threatened under the posts.
Substitutes:
Richardt Strauss 6
A 20-minute run-out but didn’t really get much opportunity to show what he can do. Still likely to travel as No.3 hooker.
Michael Bent 6
No mistakes, which many will see as a big improvement, but with White and Kilcoyne both doing well, the Leinster man will have to hope his versatility will be enough to swing things his way next month.
Nathan White 6
The latest man to attempt to back-up Mike Ross, White’s debut yielded a solid half an hour that might yet be enough to get him into the thick of the action.
Paul O’Connell 6
Instantly took on a leadership role when he appeared midway through the second half. His continued fitness is all that we can hope for.
Dave Kearney 7
Delivered an instant impact when running a super angle to burst through Scottish line for Simon Zebo’s try.
Jordi Murphy
Not long enough to rate
Eoin Reddan
Not long enough to rate
Paddy Jackson
Not long enough to rate
