The Irish Wolfhounds fell to an 18-9 defeat against the England Saxons this evening after a scrappy 80 minutes in Musgrave Park.
It’s sure to provide Joe Schmidt with a lot to think about in the coming week, with some players putting their hands up for a test shirt, while others didn’t quite get the performance they needed, and in case of the bug-ridden Luke Fitzgerald, it proved to be another devastating setback.
15. Felix Jones – 7
As ever from Jones, it was a solid performance. The Munster man has become as reliable a player as you’ll find this season, and another strong outing for this evening’s captain will keep him in Schmidt’s thoughts for a while yet.
14. Fergus McFadden – NA
Poor Fergus shipped a painful looking rib injury early in the game, and couldn’t be rated.
13. Keith Earls – 5
Started well, running some good lines in attack, but a lack of communication between he and Jack McGrath left far too big a gap for Henry Slade’s try. Should have been punished for giving Elliot Daly too much space early in the second half, and bought the dummy that left Christian Wade a gap to run into for his final minute try. While he was lively in attack, his defence may come back to haunt him for test selection this week.
12. Gordon D’Arcy – 6
Provided strong leadership in the centre, making some strong carries, but at times threw some unforgiving passes. There’s a place alongside Henshaw in the centre up for grabs, but we’re not sure if he’s done enough to take it.
11. Craig Gilroy – 5
Didn’t see as much of the ball as he’d have liked, and gave away an unfortunate penalty when he failed to release the tackler in the second half. Missed the tackle on Wade for his final minute try, but Keith Earls may have left him too much to do. Overall won’t be too thrilled with his evening.
10. Ian Madigan – 7
Had to answer plenty of questions after a disaster with the boot in Coventry, but was a perfect three out of three from the tee tonight. An eager English defensive line meant that he didn’t get to express himself as he’d have hoped in attack, but certainly did enough to earn his test start at out-half next Saturday.
9. Kieran Marmion – 6
Certainly gave Schmidt something to think about, as he produced snappy ball for Madigan to use. Showed his quick thinking to steal from the base of an English scrum in the first half. A scrappy game meant that he didn’t quite get the protection he needed, but a reasonable performance from the Connacht man.
1. Jack McGrath – 7
A good run out for McGrath, after missing Leinster’s last two games due to suspension. Part of a solid Irish scrum, and provided himself as a regular carrier in the loose. Switched off, along with Earls, for Slade’s try, but a strong performance overall for McGrath, who will start next Saturday in Rome.
2. Richardt Strauss – 7
Produced some big tackles, and put in a strong performance in his 50 minute shift. Probably didn’t do enough to get ahead of Sean Cronin in the first squad, but kept himself beyond Rob Herring in the pecking order.
3. Mike Ross – 7
After being dropped for consecutive European games, this was a big performance from Ross. Didn’t offer a lot around the pitch, but that’s never been his game. Was solid, and rarely troubled in the scrum, holding his own comfortably. A strong 50 minute run-out for the 35-year-old, who has probably done enough to earn his place in next week’s team.
4. Iain Henderson – 8
Was incredible for Ulster last week, and was excellent again this evening in Cork. Provided fantastic physucality all around the pitch, and dictated the mauls off the lineout with exceptional maturity. Â Looks to be a better option off the bench than Mike McCarthy, and could prove to be a real weapon for Schmidt in the Six Nations.
5. Mike McCarthy – 6
Was forced off at half time after coming out the wrong side of a heavy tackle on an English player. Gave away a first half penalty for coming off his feet, and while he threw himself around a lot, he looks to be falling further down the oecking order, with Iain Henderson in destructive mood.
6. Dominic Ryan – 6
It was a night for dirty work, and Ryan had plenty of it to do. Gave Sam Burgess a right welcome with a huge early hit, but didn’t assert himself enough on the night to force his way into next week’s team.
7. Sean O’Brien – 8
He’s back baby! O’Brien may have just played 50 minutes on his return to rugby, but threw everything into his first outing back. Was a constant nuisance at the breakdown, and ran with real authority with the ball, looking for it every chance he could. Rome may be a week or two too soon for him, but Schmidt will be delighted with what he saw.
8. Jack Conan – 6
A quiet first outing in the green for Conan, who came out second best in the battle of the number 8s against Thomas Waldrom.
SUBS
23. Andrew Conway – 6
Wasn’t in the 23 to begin with, but found himself on the pitch in the early minutes after McFadden’s injury. Made a hames of a second half fly-hack from Chris Ashton, but overall, a lively performance given the circumstances. While he probaby won’t feature during the Six Nations, gave Joe Schmidt a gentle nudge with the World Cup in mind.
19. Robbie Diack – 6
Came on after the break for the concussed Mike McCarthy. Made a great turnover to set up a big attack in the final five minutes, but a sloppy lineout cost them. Could have offered more physicality at the breakdown.
20. Eoin McKeon – 7
A big step for McKeon, getting a 30 minute run out, after a big season with Connacht. Would have needed a sensational performance to force his way into Schmidt’s plans for the Six Nations, but held his own for his half an hour on the pitch.
16. Rob Herring – 6
Got a good half an hour on the pitch when he replaced Strauss, but a penalty conceded at scrum time will be a blot on the copybook. In general though, he was part of an impressive Irish set-piece, which gave both English hookers real trouble on the put in.
18. Nathan White – 6
A first appearance in an Irish shirt at the ripe age of 33. Picked up where Mike Ross left off in the scruminitially, but got pinged for wheeling late on.
21. Isaac Boss – 7
It wasn’t a night to be a scrum-half, but Boss handled his cameo well. Made an excellent show and go to launch an Ireland attack with 10 minutes to play. Hasn’t done enough to get ahead of Marmion on the ladder however.
17. Michael Bent – 7
Announced himself into the game with a big scrum, winning a penalty. He conceded a free-kick for an early push, but overall he impressed. Bent has improved dramatically in the past few months in the absence of Cian Healy at Leinster, and will likely be back in the full match squad in Rome.
22. Noel Reid not on long enough to be rated.
