Player ratings: Ireland 21-23 Wales
17:19, 05 Feb 2012
Shane Stapleton
Out comes the red pen after Wales bulldoze Ireland at the Aviva…
IRELAND
R Kearney
Greatest catch of all time when Sexton put one into the clouds around the 20-minute mark, followed by the worst-ever attempt to hold onto one when he missed the ball by about 10 metres 10 minutes later. Good all-round contribution from Kearney who made more metres than any other Irish player. Could question his decision-making when George North went over.
Rating 7
T Bowe
His break ultimately allowed Best in for Ireland’s try just before the interval and he also slid in for one during the second half. Dropped a clanger of a high kick to give Wales great position and missed two of the three tackles he made - one of which allowed in North late on.
Rating 6
F McFadden
Bowe was given plenty of plaudits for his break as Best ran in but McFadden had perforated the line just before that to put the Welsh on their heels. But McFadden gave away a needless penalty on 53 minutes, which Leigh Halfpenny put over, before North bulldozed him for Jonathan Davies to touch down. Didn’t get much possession to work with though.
Rating 5
G D'Arcy
Tackled like he always does but gave away a penalty needlessly at 13-5 up, which thankfully Priestland drove a mile wide. Had few chances to work the ball as he received it just 15 times.
Rating 6
A Trimble
Great try-saving tackle on Mike Phillips in the sixth minute and was very much all action. Still, didn’t turn the Welsh on their heels that much despite a good return of metres ran. Won two turnovers though.
Rating 6
J Sexton
Criminally missed an opportunity to put Ireland into touch and with the lineout in the second minute but quickly atoned with a calming penalty goal. Missed a stinker before the half hour after Priestland did so for the Welsh. Played into Welsh hands by running the ball just twice in 37 possessions, though the visitors’ dominance and quick defence played a part in that.
Rating 5
C Murray
Murray’s ponderously slow box-kicking style led to a blockdown by Ryan Jones on 24 minutes and he put another one out on the full in the second half. Tackled well and tried to snipe but not hugely effective.
Rating 6
C Healy
Scrum stayed relatively solid and carried well at times. Worked hard to win two turnovers.
Rating 7
R Best
Finished off a fine move before the break to give Ireland an undeserved lead. Completed every tackle he went for and every lineout went where it was supposed to.
Rating 8
M Ross
Never a threat from play (two metres from four runs says as much) but kept the scrum solid.
Rating 6
D O'Callaghan
Was at the bottom of rucks and always a nuisance.
Rating 6
P O'Connell
Stole a lineout on 23 minutes and had two turnovers. Also caught a beauty of a restart in the second half. Chipped in with 12 tackles.
Rating 7
S Ferris
Gave away the crucial penalty with just a minute to go, picking up a yellow card into the bargain - after Sam Warburton’s red card in New Zealand, this type of tackle was lucky to get just yellow. Had played well before that - stealing a Welsh lineout - but didn’t beat as many defenders as hoped.
Rating 5
S O'Brien
Turned a ball over from Toby Faletau on the half hour but didn’t make any massive breaks, as has been the case lately. Carried 13 times and did make the third most metres (40) while beating three defenders. Got through more tackles than anyone else on the pitch.
Rating 7
J Heaslip
Stole a lineout on 25 minutes and a good burst a few minutes later helped Ireland establish some good field position, finally. Won a fine penalty at the halfway line with 10 minutes to go to keep Ireland on the front foot. Won lineouts off both Irish and Welsh darts.
Rating 8
REPLACEMENTS
T Court (on for Healy, 73 mins)
Hadn’t time to do much of note.
Rating n/a
D Ryan (on for O’Callaghan, 63 mins)
Made a massive contribution when he came on. It was his lineout turnover in the Welsh half that led to Tommy Bowe’s try - indeed Ryan also had a carry during those phases too.
Rating 7
E Reddan (on for Murray, 76 mins)
No time to influence the game.
Rating n/a
R O’Gara (on for Sexton, 76 mins)
No time to work his magic.
Rating n/a
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