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Ireland player ratings: Doris and Murray to the fore

Ireland were far from perfect in difficult conditions in Bayonne
Ireland were far from perfect in difficult conditions in Bayonne

Ireland signed off on their World Cup warm-ups with a nervy 17-13 win over Samoa in Bayonne.

Head coach Andy Farrell will name his 33-man squad for the tournament tomorrow.

Here's how we rated the players.


Jimmy O'Brien - 6

Ran a good support line and finished well for his first international try. Conditions were difficult and there were a couple of knock ons under pressure. Received some treatment on a shoulder injury before being replaced by Ross Byrne in the 53rd minute.

Mack Hansen - 7

His usual lively self in the opening 40 minutes, had plenty of involvements and unselfishly passed to O'Brien when he could have scored himself. Was quiet in the second half with the ball not coming his way.

Robbie Henshaw - 6

Was a cause for concern after colliding with a team-mate in the second half. Had his ankle strapped but was able to see out the game. Missed four tackles and gave away a penalty.

Stuart McCloskey - 6

Made a couple of big tackles early on but pass for Duncan Paia'aua's try was poor. Lasted the full 80 but struggled to impose himself. Made a couple of good defensive plays as Samoa threatened late on. Made 12 carries in total.

Jacob Stockdale - 6

Another man guilty of handling errors, needed a big game after stepping in as a late replacement for Keith Earls who was withdrawn (niggle) after being named to start. Grew into the game in the second half and set up Murray's try.

Jack Crowley - 6

Kicked well out of hand and was a good link to the midfield, saved a possible try with a covering tackle when Tumua Manu broke the line. Had a conversion attempt blocked down that could have been costly.

Conor Murray - 7

Another who registered a couple of handling errors but box-kicking was largely accurate. Kept a cool head throughout and got a vital try after Stockdale's chip. Was named as Donal Lenihan's man of the match.

Cian Healy n/a

Limped off after 20 minutes following a scrum collapse for which he was penalised, World Cup hopes now in jeopardy, big blow for the Leinster man and Ireland if the calf injury is as serious as it looked.

Tom Stewart - 5

Poor on his first start, his second cap. Not solely at fault but lineout was again a mess. Gave away an early penalty and knocked on when put into space by Van der Flier in the first half. Replaced by Ulster team-mate Herring early in the second half.

Finlay Bealham - 6

Scrum was under pressure in difficult conditions. Registered nine tackles and carried twice.

Iain Henderson - 6

Struggled in a malfunctioning line-out in the opening half but was prominent in defence, racking up seven tackles. Made four carries.

Tadhg Beirne - 6

A quiet outing by the Munster lock, who claimed six Irish throws at the lineout.

Ryan Baird - 7

One of the better performers.. Made eight of ten tackles, while conceding one penalty and one turnover. Took four of Ireland lineouts and nicked two from Samoa

Josh van der Flier - 6

Top tackler on the Ireland side with 12 of 14 made. As usual, busy on both sides of the ball and showed good hands in the loose.

Caelan Doris - 7

Best of the pack, making 12 carries for 59 metres, crossing the gainline four times and taking four lineouts. Kicked the ball away late on when Ireland needed to hold on to the ball.


Replacements

Rob Herring - (for Stewart 51) - 7

Scored a try and there was a noticeable improvement after the Ulster hooker came on. Made nine tackles.

Jeremy Loughman (for Healy 21) - 5

No real impact in the scrum. Found it as hard as the rest of the front row.

Tom O'Toole (for Bealham 62) - 5

Carried well in his short spell

James Ryan (for Henderson 60) - 6

Made an immediate impact when sprung from the bench

Peter O'Mahony (for Baird 60) - 6

Similar impact to Ryan but gave away a silly penalty that Samoa wasted late on.

Craig Casey (for Murray 72) n/a

Ross Byrne (for O'Brien 53) - 6

Solid half hour

Garry Ringrose (for Stockdale 66) - 6

Carried twice for 35m in a short cameo out of position on the wing.

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