Player head-to-heads from Wales v Ireland

Following a 25-7 victory for Wales over Ireland in the Six Nations, we take a look at who won the player head-to-heads in Cardiff on Saturday.

Gareth Anscombe (Wales) v Rob Kearney (Ireland): Moved to full-back after George North’s injury and produced an accomplished display, kicking 20 points and being a solid presence at the back. Kearney was one of Ireland’s better backs but failed to really impose himself on the encounter. Winner: Gareth Anscombe

Liam Williams (Wales) v Jacob Stockdale (Ireland): Last season’s top-scorer Stockdale has endured a tougher season this time around and that was shown against Wales. Had one big opportunity but was tracked down by Hadleigh Parkes, although he did more than Williams. Wasn’t a game for wingers but the visiting player just shades it. Winner: Jacob Stockdale

Jonathan Davies (Wales) v Garry Ringrose (Ireland): Another battle which was difficult to call, with neither player doing anything significant in either attack or defence. Ringrose tried to get his team going but ultimately failed to make an impact. Winner: Honours even

Hadleigh Parkes (Wales) v Bundee Aki (Ireland): The Welsh centre had an excellent impact without really making the metres. He carried well in traffic and defended superbly, making an excellent cover tackle on Stockdale when he appeared to be away. Aki, meanwhile, did nothing of note. Winner: Hadleigh Parkes

Josh Adams (Wales) v Keith Earls (Ireland): It’s been an excellent tournament for the Worcester winger and he was once again solid on Saturday, with one significant incursion the highlights. Adams duly outdid Earls, who struggled with Wales’ kicking game. Winner: Josh Adams

Dan Biggar (Wales) v Johnny Sexton (Ireland): An absolutely outstanding display by Biggar after arriving onto the field early on. Decision-making was excellent while his aerial skills were crucial in what were difficult conditions. Completely outplayed Sexton, who endured a torrid afternoon and made several errors. It’s not been a good tournament for the World Player of the Year. Winner: Dan Biggar

Gareth Davies (Wales) v Conor Murray (Ireland): No doubt part of Ireland’s reasoning for wanting the roof open was to dominate the kicking game, but Wales showed against England that they are difficult to beat aerially. Davies duly gave a masterclass in wet weather rugby, controlling the play brilliantly from the base of the ruck, while Murray struggled once again. Winner: Gareth Davies

Ross Moriarty (Wales) v CJ Stander (Ireland): Stander’s tap from a free-kick that went into his second-rows summed up his day at the office as he could not get his carrying game going. To their credit Wales kept him well contained and Moriarty was one of those players who tackled well throughout. On a wet day he kept it simple and defensively was again a rock. Winner: Ross Moriarty

Justin Tipuric (Wales) v Sean O’Brien (Ireland): Continues to impress in the red jersey and won this battle hands down as O’Brien struggled to have any impact on proceedings and was eventually replaced on 52 minutes. Tipuric, like Moriarty, was superb without the ball and continues to grow in stature among the world’s best sevens. Another streetwise and busy display. Winner: Justin Tipuric

Josh Navidi (Wales) v Peter O’Mahony (Ireland): Completing the back-row clean sweep is Navidi who again showed immense power and dynamism with ball in hand as well as tackling workrate, finishing with a team high 21 in total. O’Mahony was unusually quiet and could not impose his game and leadership on matters as Ireland knew it wasn’t their day in Cardiff. Winner: Josh Navidi

Alun Wyn Jones (Wales) v James Ryan (Ireland): Two of the game’s best second-rows faced off and it was another win for the player in red on Saturday. Jones was a rock throughout and led by example to defeat the hard-working Ryan, who gave everything to what ultimately was a losing cause. What a leader Jones is for Wales and he was a standout once again for Wales. Winner: Alun Wyn Jones

Adam Beard (Wales) v Tadhg Beirne (Ireland): It started well for Beirne as he won a turnover at the breakdown, which would have concerned Wales as they know of his talents in that area. But he was then well shackled while Beard grew more into the game and impressed in close quarters, upsetting Ireland’s rhythm well. He has nailed down the spot next to Jones, surely. Winner: Adam Beard

Tomas Francis (Wales) v Cian Healy (Ireland): Coughing up a needless penalty with a clearout that led to three points doesn’t help Healy’s case for this battle while Francis was solid if not spectacular in red. Another Welshman here. Winner: Tomas Francis

Ken Owens (Wales) v Rory Best (Ireland): Rarely gets the credit he deserves, Owens has been one of the most consistent hookers in the world game for some time now and was a real leader alongside Jones on Saturday. Best meanwhile struggled for Ireland and was uncharacteristically flaky at the set-piece, which made this an easy decision to make. Winner: Ken Owens

Rob Evans (Wales) v Tadhg Furlong (Ireland): We’re definitely not seeing the Furlong of 2018 as he hasn’t had anywhere near the same impact with carries this year. Against Wales he made zero metres with ball in hand while Evans was his usual energetic self at the breakdown and in open play. Winner: Rob Evans

Bench impact: There was no discernible difference in quality from Wales’ replacements, who continued to put pressure on Ireland. The front-row maintained their control on the visitors’ scrum, with Nicky Smith and Dillon Lewis providing good impact, while scrum-half Aled Davies also played well when he came on. For the Irish, Jack Conan was the best of their bench and Jordan Larmour took his try well, but they failed to turn the tide. Winner: Wales