Player ratings: Tadhg Furlong superb in Ireland win
Here’s our ratings following Ireland’s excellent Grand Slam-winning 24-15 victory over England.
15 Rob Kearney – His challenge on Watson made the first try and he controlled the back well. 6/10
14 Keith Earls – In defence or attack everything Earls made a positive contribution. Try saving tap tackle on Daly. 7/10
13 Garry Ringrose – Ireland’s conveyor belt of outside centres continues with this gem of a player. 8/10
12 Bundee Aki – Created a try, gave away a penalty or two, but he needs to stop tackling with his head. 5/10
11 Jacob Stockdale – His try record this season is no accident and he’s both a gifted footballer and deadly finisher as he proved once again. 8/10
10 Johnny Sexton – Never given enough credit for the simple things and the physical things; he ran the show. 7/10
9 Conor Murray – His contact game is made for days like this and he delivered. 7/10
8 CJ Stander – After losing 5kgs, Stander the muscle car has become Stander the F1 car. Compelling. 8/10
7 Dan Leavy – Rumbustious in contact and powerful in carry, Leavy is Ireland’s own take on the now-classic English six-and-a-half. 7/10
6 Peter O’Mahony – A mixed day for the warrior but competed well. 5/10
5 Iain Henderson – The consummate street urchin scrapped, sniped and annoyed England all day. 8/10
4 James Ryan – Adds power and bulk to Ireland’s forward efforts and a key man in the maul and choke. 6/10
3 Tadhg Furlong – In a different world of rugby intellect and execution to any other tighthead around. World class is his minimum default and he sets the standard for every prop in international rugby. Brilliant. 9/10
2 Rory Best (c) – Battered and bruised, he was his normal, mauling carrying annoyance. 6/10
1 Cian Healy – Not quite the scrummaging force he once was, he still contributes wonderfully elsewhere, especially the driving maul. 5/10
Replacements:
16 Sean Cronin – Came on, got on with the job and Ireland lost nothing for his presence. 6/10
17 Jack McGrath – Struggled a little at first against his old foe Cole, but held in well. 5/10
18 Andrew Porter – Replaced a tiring Healy and kept the team going forward. 5/10
19 Devin Toner – Big Devin won a couple of crucial takes when Ireland were pressured. 5/10
20 Jordi Murphy – Although not a lot of time on the pitch, his power was evident. 5/10
21 Kieran Marmion – Forced out onto the wing, he let no-one down. 5/10
22 Joey Carbery – No-one doubts his class and he ceded nothing to England. 6/10
23 Jordan Larmour – Some crunching hits late on sapped England’s desire. 6/10
by James While