Player Ratings: Ireland

Yesterday at 01:27 PM

OPINION: Ireland's Six Nations Grand Slam hopes have well and truly been Le Crunched by France, who were deserved 42-27 winners in their top-of-the-table clash in Dublin.

While the first forty minutes was a touch-and-go affair between two well-matched sides, a second-half surge from Fabien Galthie's side opened up an unassailable lead that Ireland had no realistic chance of reeling in.

How the Ireland players rated:

1. Andrew Porter – 6
Worked hard in the tight exchanges and held up the scrum decently against mass monster Uini Atonio. A little quieter in the loose than we've come to expect.

2. Dan Sheehan – 8
Accurate at the lineout and lively with ball in hand. His carries sparked some Irish momentum and his try to put Ireland in front just after half-time was the type of main character moment we've come to expect from Sheehan.

3. Finlay Bealham – 6
Put himself about in open play, but Jean-Baptiste Gros forced him into survival mode on more than one occasion. Stayed in the fight.

4. Joe McCarthy – 5
Disrupted a few opposition mauls and did his job in the engine room with minimal fuss. However, a brainrotting and needless tug on Thomas Ramos – that earned him a yellow card and saw France score off the very next play – was what stood out.

5. Tadhg Beirne – 8
Added his trademark versatility in the loose, pilfered ball at crucial moments, and chipped in with clever lineout steals. Another top outing. Not at fault here.

6. Peter O'Mahony – 5
The mind is willing but the body was struggling to keep up. Fell off Antoine Dupont for France's first try and looked a yard or two off the pace throughout, although there was no lack of industry, grit or heart from the Munster veteran.

7. Josh van der Flier – 6
Led Ireland's defensive effort and constantly showed up in support. Showed the resourcefulness of a world-travelling survivalist at the breakdown, but lacked his normal impact.

8. Caelan Doris – 6.5
Crossed the line early only be held up, but was a nuisance to the French, whether on the ball or sniffing out a turnover at the breakdown. Faded as the French got up a head of steam in the second-half.

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9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Was shaded in his one-on-one with Dupont, but that's not to say he had a bad game. His box-kicking was pretty sharp and he directed traffic well overall, while playing the role of Mr. Fixit for Ireland on more than one occasion.

10. Sam Prendergast – 4.5
Once again mixed the sublime with the abject. Under severe pressure from the French back row, who often had his number, not least when getting caught in two minds and driven back five metres. Missed a kick in front of the post only to boot over a 50 metre plus effort just before halftime. Too many times chose the high-risk option when the percentage play was the right call. You have to admire his willingness to play the ball, but it needs to be tempered with a modicum of restraint. Getting intercepted late on for France's last try summed up a frustrating afternoon for the rookie.

11. Calvin Nash – 6.5
A late call-up for James Lowe, Nash used his pace effectively when he got on the ball. Did his best to inject himself into open play and was one of Ireland sharper edges.

12. Bundee Aki – 5
Took an accidental boot to the face early but recovered well. Had precious little opportunity in the first half to make an impact on the French defensive line, spending the most part of his afternoon tackling blue jerseys.

13. Robbie Henshaw – 6.5
Provided a brooding defensive presence, showing up when it mattered to save Ireland's bacon on occasion. Might have hoped for more ball, but made his moments count.

14. Jamie Osborne – 6
Some timely hits and a booming boot but had some wobbly moments under the high-ball. Was happy to roll the dice in attack, causing chaos on the French flanks, where defenders struggled to read his attacking intent. Against that, struggled to match the sheer athleticism of Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

15. Hugo Keenan – 8
A bright spark for Ireland, taking the ball to the line on multiple occasions in the opening exchanges. Very nearly coughed up 5-points only to be saved by the TMO who spotted the sneaky right hand of Antoine Dupont in the tackle, but this was a real return to form for Keenan, albeit in a losing effort.

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring – NA
Had limited opportuniity to make a dent, having only entered the fray at 68 minutes.

17. Cian Healy – 8
Hard to rate given Simon Easterby once again didn't use him until the final 12 minutes but was great to see Ireland's most capped player burrow over, even in the context of a heavy loss.

18. Thomas Clarkson – 6
Made the most of his cameo. Didn't stand out, but also didn't hurt Ireland's failing cause as the game peatered out.

19. James Ryan – 6
Tried to provide a physical boost in the final quarter, but couldn't get much change off the French.

20. Jack Conan – 6.5
Has had a resurgence this Six Nations, but there was only so much he could do here. His late try put a bit of respect on the scoreboard.

21. Ryan Baird – 5
Contributed a couple of key tackles but wasn't able to turn the tide as the Les Bleus turned up the heat.

22. Conor Murray – NA
Maybe not the man to bring with Ireland chasing the game with 12 minutes to go. Sad to see a remarkable Ireland career capped off in his last home game in such an unedifying fashion.

23. Jack Crowley – 5
Slotted in at 12 for Aki with Ireland very much on the back foot. Unable to offer much in the circumstances.