Six Nations 2021 player ratings: Ireland 32-18 England

Jack Conan crosses for Ireland’s second try in Dublin against England

Credit: James Crombie/INPHO/Shutterstock

A very difficult Six Nations for England ended as it began as they were outclassed by Ireland in Dublin.

A physical and attritional game in Dublin saw Ireland produce arguably their best 40 minutes under Andy Farrell in the first half, with game management taking over in the second as they comfortably saw out the 32-18 win despite Bundee Aki’s red card.

England were once again hamstrung by discipline issues and struggled to keep pace with an Irish side who were determined to send the retiring CJ Stander off with a victory.

Here are The Flanker’s player ratings from an intense 80 minutes in Dublin.

Ireland

15. Hugo Keenan - 7

Showed his usefulness in the Irish attack with a great high ball take in the lead-up to the Conan try. Not his most influential game but was solid at the back and the men in front of him assured it was not that often he was called into serious action.

14. Keith Earls - 7

Did superbly to finish a very well-constructed first try from a set-piece move and reeled in Sexton’s kick beautifully for a try that was ultimately disallowed. Keeps producing performances despite being long in the tooth these days. Not the biggest all-round contributor but Ireland’s Mr Reliable for finishing.

13. Robbie Henshaw - 8

Making a real case for his place in a Lions midfield this tournament. Several enormous contributions in defence and does unseen work to keep the Ireland backline motoring. Has a knack of being in the right place in the right time, and more often than not doing the right thing.

12. Bundee Aki - 5

Again was not quite able to command the attention from the England defence that he wanted. Functional in the 12 jersey and fits a system, but has never quite kicked on to be the titan Ireland have always hoped. His day ended with a red card after a high shot on Billy Vunipola.

11. Jacob Stockdale - 6

Not the most explosive return to the international scene after a lengthy injury layoff but did his job. Did not have a whole lot of ball or space to work with as the battle was mainly fought through the middle.

10. Johnny Sexton - 8

The Irish general marshalled his troops with aplomb and is adapting his game well in his veteran years. Is starting to be much more strategic and directorial about managing the team rather than running the ball so much himself. Kicking game crucial in unpicking England’s struggling defence. Has been a fantastic revival tournament for him.

9. Conor Murray - 8

Flapped at a high kick in the first half that almost landed his team in trouble but was instrumental to the control Ireland exerted as the first half went on. Had one of those days where he knew the right option seconds before anyone else did. Yellow-carded late on but it took little away from one of his best performances in years.

8. Jack Conan - 9

Did his job to perfection in holding off the defenders to release Keith Earls for the opening try and finished off a superb passage himself for the second. Kept barreling at the England defensive line all day and never took a backward step.

7. Josh van der Flier - 6

An understated performance from the man normally so noticeable in his red scrum cap. A couple of key interventions in the breakdown but he will have much more influential days in the green jersey.

6. CJ Stander - 6

A fitting finale for a tremendous servant to Irish rugby. Not his most impressive performance but was given a farewell worthy of his contribution to the jersey. Never takes a backward step.

5. Tadhg Beirne (MOTM) - 9

Signed off a very impressive tournament with a flourish. A nuisance in the tight, always capable of a turnover at the breakdown and his versatility could well see him landing in the Lions squad later this summer. Rivals Louis Rees-Zammit and Duhan van der Merwe as the breakout star of this tournament on the international scene. Best on park.

4. Iain Henderson - 7

Just does everything - carries hard, marshals the lineout, defends hard and makes a nuisance of himself at the breakdown. Won’t grab many headlines but is vital to the slick operation of this Irish forward pack, which is growing in confidence every game.

3. Tadhg Furlong - 8

Part of a dominant scrum unit and plays such a vital role as a midfield pivot for the Irish. Bullied Mako Vunipola at the set piece into a halftime withdrawal. The sight of him roaring in delight after yet another scrum penalty about sums up England’s day up front.

2. Rob Herring - 7

Hard work in defence and dead-eyed at the lineout in the first half. Has established himself well in the hooker role, filling the void left by Rory Best for the longer term. Part of a front row that decimated England throughout the game.

1. Dave Kilcoyne - 5

Promising start in the set piece against Sinckler, but only had 19 minutes to his name before being withdrawn for a Head Injury Assessment after a nasty blow. Did not return.

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher (6), 17. Cian Healy (7), 18. Andrew Porter (7), 19. Ryan Baird (6), 20. Peter O’Mahony (6), 21. Jamison Gibson-Park (N/A), 22. Ross Byrne (N/A), 23. Jordan Larmour (N/A)

England

15. Elliot Daly - 5

Reverted to fullback after Max Malins’ late withdrawal and came with a sense of deja vu. Exposed in the air by Keenan in the leadup to the Conan try. Set about making amends after halftime and attacked with much more intent but the damage was done.

14. Anthony Watson - 4

Virtually anonymous. His blistering pace and fantastic footwork have been so vital for England of late but just never got into the game here.

13. Ollie Lawrence - 5

Parachuted into the starting side after Malins’ injury and looked for more involvement from the off, but still struggled to impose himself. Needs comparions to Manu Tuilagi to stop so he can find his own game at Test level.

12. Owen Farrell - 6

Passed 500 Six Nations points with his second penalty goal. Tried everything he could to front up and lead his team, particularly in defence, but his team were simply outclassed across the 80 minutes. Withdrawn for an HIA after 55 minutes

11. Jonny May - 5

Exposed one on one by Keith Earls for the opening score, which for a man of his pace should have been harder to do. In a game that wasn’t made for wingers, he struggled to impose himself on the game and open up any opportunities. Not his best game under the high ball either.

10. George Ford - 5

Struggled early on as Ireland blitzed him well in defence. Had a few neat touches but was targeted by Ireland with ball in hand and never stamped his authority on the game. Replaced by Marchant after 50 minutes.

9. Ben Youngs - 6

Could only look on wistfully as he got a first-half masterclass from Murray. Tried in vain to take on both 9 and 10 duties when Farrell left the field for his HIA and looked to spark a fightback with a well-taken short side try. No lack of effort but just not his day.

8. Billy Vunipola - 5

Outshone by his opposite number as he found his opportunities with ball in hand limited. Has gotten sharper as the Six Nations has gone on so far but struggled to impose himself here. A grim end to his day after a nasty head collision with Bundee Aki.

7. Tom Curry - 6

Not at his best and guilty of involvement in a couple of breakdown penalties. Was outmuscled by Conan for the Earls try at the back of the lineout. Came alive with the ball in the second half as England looked for a way back but too little too late.

6. Mark Wilson - 7

Didn’t catch the eye but what he does is not eye-catching stuff. Had 11 tackles to his name by half time and got through his usual mountain of work, but unable to stem the Irish tide. Replaced by Ben Earl early in the second half as England looked for more energy.

5. Charlie Ewels - 6

Brought plenty of graft as he did against France last week. Did his best to disrupt the Irish line out to minimal avail, but was part of a pack that had no foothold in the game. Replaced by Jonny Hill before the hour mark.

4. Maro Itoje - 6

Made his intentions clear with a typical early turnover but not one of his finer moments. Worked at his usual breakneck pace but could not get a foothold against an Irish pack that would not be denied.

3. Kyle Sinckler - 5

Struggled in the scrum early on and got precious little chance to show his skillset in the loose. Carried hard but ultimately met a green wall during his time on the pitch. A bad day all round for the England front row.

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie - 6

Made another statement of intent to Jamie George about the starting jersey. Safe as houses at the set piece and worked hard around the field but will be disappointed by falling off Jack Conan for the second Irish try and his part in a disintegrating scrum. Replaced at half-time by George.

1. Mako Vunipola - 4

Another day of struggles in the scrum for the veteran after a few such days in this year’s tournament, conceding three penalties in the first half. Showed flashes of why he is a vital weapon for England in the loose but a poor day. Hooked at half time for Ellis Genge.

Replacements

16. Jamie George (5), 17. Ellis Genge (5), 18. Will Stuart (5), 19. Jonny Hill (4), 20. Ben Earl (7), 21. George Martin (N/A), 22. Dan Robson (5), 23. Joe Marchant (5)