Player Ratings: Ireland

by Brendan Cole

Though they ended up with a comprehensive win, Ireland's victory over Wales was not without flaws. Poor kicking, issues with defence and failure to play the referee were among the facets that hindered the performance......though a badly off-key Welsh display helped mightily.

We rate the players, and you can too.

1: Cian Healy

One or two penalties given away on the deck but was the most dynamic prop out there and hit Wales very hard around the ruck area. Good scrum on the Irish line also a plus.

2: Rory Best

Very good day out for the canny Ulsterman, who adapted to referee Joubert's interpretation at the breakdown faster than anyone, with one key turnover on the Irish line standing out.

3: John Hayes

Looked under real pressure again during one scrum series but turned it around and put the Welsh front row on its backside. Backbone for Ireland's tremendous lineout display as well.

4: Donncha O'Callaghan

Won't show up in too many highlights shows but O'Callaghan applied himself diligently to the grappling, driving game in the tight and the lineout.

5: Paul O'Connell

On hand for some key offloads - at least three times - and carries in a much improved handling performance. Imperious lineout display too.

6: Stephen Ferris

Some impressive power carrying and smart defending in the wider channels. Good display.

7: David Wallace

Excellent display - powerful carries that really put the Welsh pack on the back foot and created space out wide, and made some superb turnovers too. Showed good pace to beat Martyn Williams on the outside early in the game as well.

8: Jamie Heaslip

Another who did the dirty work. Quality of control at back of scrum again a positive, plenty of carries and hits, but never quite got free in space.

9: Tomás O'Leary

Followed his magnificent display against England with another quality outing with his ability to do the basics at scrum-half and be effective in other areas of the pitch to the fore. Pairing with Sexton seems to suit both players.

10: Jonathan Sexton

Some poor kicks - and some very nice ones - but it was in general play that Sexton really excelled. Line kicking in the second half particularly good. Not everything came off but the combinaton of speed, strength, ball skills and awareness makes him very tough to defend against. More to come.

11: Keith Earls

Sheer pace has always been there but this time, the game handed him chances to use it and he took them brilliantly. Turned over one ball running back but the finishing, kicking and ambition hinted at a talent that is beginning to fulfill itself.

12: Gordon D'Arcy

Showed courage after shipping a heavy hit while tackling Jamie Roberts and despite a heavy bruise above the knee, getting up to make the next tackle. Injury latest instalment of a frustrating tournament to date.

13: Brian O'Driscoll

Odd afternoon for his 100th cap. Match result was never in doubt and he would probably have been sharper in a tighter contest. Poor pass to Earls, stray kick, offsides and a failure to adapt his technique at the breakdown were negatives. Scoring pass for Earls and one or two typical 'human highlights reel' moments were good. But poor by his own lofty standards.

14: Tommy Bowe

Powerful running up the middle gave Ireland key go forward and his kick chasing was also effective. Developing into a very confident player.

15: Geordan Murphy

Solid and calm at the back. Used footwork to give his support time to reach and caught everything. Still not the longest return kicker in the world and didn't get the chance to really show his best form in attack.

22: Rob Kearney

Called in early due to D'Arcy's injury and did well enough in the wing position he has never really looked to relish playing in, with some nice breakout runs.