Ireland 26 Scotland 5: Ireland player ratings

John O’Sullivan hands out the marks to Andy Farrell’s side from the Aviva Stadium

Ireland’s Dan Sheehan scores a try against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP
Ireland’s Dan Sheehan scores a try against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Peter Morrison/AP

15 Hugo Keenan

The standout moment was a brilliant try saving tackle on Scotland captain and fullback Stuart Hogg at a time when the visitors might still have harboured aspirations to win. Another high quality contribution on both sides of the ball. Rating: 8

14 Mack Hansen

The Irish team celebrate their third try in the win over Scotland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
The Irish team celebrate their third try in the win over Scotland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton releases Bundee Aki in Saturday’s win at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton releases Bundee Aki in Saturday’s win at the Aviva Stadium. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

His influence grew as the game went on especially in attack where he beat the first defender several times but he should also take satisfaction from one great read in defence in the Irish 22 when Scotland might have scored a try. Rating: 7

13 Garry Ringrose

He works so hard to shore up the mistakes or misreads of his teammates and that selflessness was once again apparent. He didn't get much chance to attack as that aspect of Ireland's display was a little off colour but worked to plug holes in defence. Rating: 7

12 Bundee Aki

He certainly wasn't helped by a lack of shape in Ireland's backline, and was often given poor ball to try and work the oracle. A knock-on from a Johnny Sexton pass highlighted the lack of empathy between the two on the day and he was also caught offside. Rating: 6

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11 James Lowe

He did some very good things, one great kick, and made some mistakes that were untypical - three turnovers, and he got in the way of a pre-planned move. But his power and determination in the build-up to Conor Murray's bonus point was typical of his fire and attitude. Rating: 6

10 Johnny Sexton (capt)

He will be disappointed with the disjointed nature of Ireland's back play and spurned one try scoring chance when he should have passed. Great 50-22 kick, typically brave in defence and it wasn't all doom and gloom in attack. Rating: 7

9 Jamison Gibson-Park

This was another high quality contribution, sharp and lively in giving his team tempo and line breaks in equal measure. Sure he'd like to take back one or two decisions but it's a minor cavil when weighed against his all round display including a try saving tackle. Rating: 8

1 Cian Healy

An integral part of a scrum that didn't budge and was typically intelligent in finding a millimetre of space to power over for his try; one or two very good carries with footwork. Rating: 7

2 Dan Sheehan

An outstanding performance in all aspects of the game from his lineout throwing - one picked off - to his carrying, beating defenders through footwork or power with equal facility. He capped a superb game with a try. Rating: 9

3 Tadhg Furlong

Showed an enthusiasm and energy for all forms of contact and was rock solid in the scrum initially and then part of Ireland's late dominance. A great penalty turnover at a ruck, good reads in defence and overall a high energy input. Rating: 7

4 Tadhg Beirne

His application and work-rate was typically diligent and perhaps his greatest contribution was his tackle count in defence and ability to slow down the ball at the breakdown. A handling error or two but it was very much in keeping with the context of the game. Rating: 7

5 Iain Henderson

Ireland's lineout caller took responsibility in securing most of the ball (10 throws) and was very assured in that capacity. He worked voraciously at the breakdown to clear out and in other facets of the game too. He will be disappointed to have been stripped close to the Scottish line. Rating: 7

6 Caelan Doris

Led the way with two turnovers, one of which led to a relieving penalty and the other put a stop to a Scottish counterattack. He won't be happy with a knock on when coming onto a pass four metres from the Scottish line but overall an industrious effort. Rating: 7

7 Josh van der Flier

If there was a player who demonstrated the grit and application required to ensure a positive result then it was Ireland's openside flanker. He is credited with 17 tackles but it looked more; he was present when Ireland needed him most and capped the display with a try. Rating: 8

8 Jack Conan

One thundering carry early on in which he bounced George Turner in a tackle, another muscular effort in the build-up to Cian Healy's try but the game didn't really run his way and he was replaced on 53 minutes despite a bright start to the second half. Rating: 6

Replacements

Dave Kilcoyne had a big impact off the bench in helping Ireland assert some initial scrum ascendancy with a couple of penalties although that evened out a little by the final whistle. Conor Murray grabbed a try and read the game beautifully while Robbie Henshaw provided intelligent direction and hustled for a couple of turnovers. The bench en masse gave Ireland fresh impetus. Rating: 7

Coach

Andy Farrell has overseen the evolution in Ireland's playing style that's moved forward appreciably during the tournament. Four wins from five matches underlines the progress that Ireland are making under his guidance and he deserves huge credit. There is still a way to go but based on the campaign the signs are positive. Rating: 8

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer