Full player ratings as Ireland defeat Italy in lacklustre performance
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Job done.
Ireland got the job done against Italy this afternoon, with a 20-13 win at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin to get back to winning ways.
But the performance will leave us with more questions than answers, as Ireland’s attack in particular failed yet again to really cause Italy any serious damage.
The Italians played some good rugby at times, with their backline in particular a real threat throughout, but man-to-man – another lacklustre Ireland performance.
Here are your full player ratings…
Ireland player ratings vs Italy
1. Jeremy Loughman – 5
Outscrummaged by Simone Ferrari but played well in the loose.
2. Dan Sheehan – 5
Lineout was solid but failed to make any real impact elsewhere. Really struggling for form this season.
3. Thomas Clarkson – 4
Destroyed in the scrum. Subbed at halftime.
4. Joe McCarthy – 5
Lots of handling errors again. As bad as he was in Paris.
5. James Ryan – 5
Another guy struggling for form.
6. Cormac Izuchukwu – 6
Would have liked to have got his hands on the ball a lot more, but had some really good moments, including a huge lineout steal.
7. Caelan Doris – 6
Struggled to make any real yards and gave away a couple of silly penalties.
8. Jack Conan – 7
Made some big carries and scored a crucial try. Should be starting regularly for Ireland.
9. Craig Casey – 5
Got off to the worst start with a horror box kick. Unlucky to be yellow-carded.
10. Sam Prendergast – 3
Missed two kicks in front of the post. Looked lost again. Needs to be dropped, simple as.
11. James Lowe – 7
Has the hunger back in his belly after being dropped. Always looked like a threat.
12. Stuart McCloskey – 7
Lovely hands, big carries. Vintage McCloskey.
13. Garry Ringrose – 5
Another guy struggling for form. Needs a break.
14. Robert Baloucoune – 7
Took his chance and had the crowd on their feet anytime he was in space. Amazing footwork for his try.
15. Jamie Osborne – 6
Had some lovely touches but far too many errors.
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher – 7
Looked really solid when he came on.
17. Tom O’Toole – 6
Slightly improved the scrum.
18. Tadhg Furlong – 5
Lost a big scrum after coming on. Needs minutes.
19. Edwin Edogbo – 6
The Cobh man got 10 minutes and an incredible ovation when he came on.
20. Tadhg Beirne – 6.
Steadied the ship.
21. Nick Timoney – 6
Not quite the impact he had in Paris.
22. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Looked sharp when he came on.
23. Jack Crowley – 8
Made an immediate impact. Set Ireland alight and orchestrated Baloucoune’s try to get Ireland back in front.
