Player ratings: Ireland

Yesterday at 12:56 PM

OPINION: Unbackable favourites Ireland were well and truly humbled, even if they ultimately did scrape and scrap to an incredibly hard-fought 24-18 win at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.

It all started so well for Ireland, who looked every bit the schoolyard bullies against the Welsh underdogs, but the home side sowed the seeds of doubt in the Irish that eventually grew into a giant oak of uncertainty.

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Here's how we rated the Irish players:

1. Andrew Porter – 5.5
Struggled against all 127kg of WillGriff John and was relatively subdued in the loose. Stayed in the fight though and the set piece did eventually improve. Made play into the 70th minute by Simon Easterby, a giant shift for a modern prop.

2. Dan Sheehan – 4.5
A mixed bag throwing in at the lineout, which has been a real problem area for Ireland. Tried a little too hard to make things happen in the loose, where his hands let him down on several occasions. He'll remember his Test captaincy debut but possibly for all the wrong reasons.

3. Thomas Clarkson – 5
The scrum was a disaster zone, with Clarkson struggling against the experienced Nicky Smith [he did better against Gareth Thomas]. A real baptism of fire for the rookie tighthead. It'll stand to him.

4. Joe McCarthy – 8
Returning from injury, 'Big Joe' got through plenty of the hard yards in tight exchanges. Brought his usual bully-boy energy, broke tackles left, right and centre; and did his best to rally the troops. Ireland have missed his mulleted edge.

5. Tadhg Beirne – 6
Displayed his usual high work rate, disrupting Welsh ball on a few occasions. Didn't steal as much lineout ball as he sometimes does but was a consistent presence.

6. Peter O'Mahony – 6.5
The grumpy old sheepdog of the Irish pack. Willingly threw himself into contact on both sides of the ball and was neck and neck with Porter on Ireland's tackle count.

7. Josh van der Flier – 6
Strong at the breakdown in the face of stiff competition from Jac Morgan and co, providing quick ball for the half-backs and adding grit in defence. His graft helped Ireland stay in the fight.

8. Jack Conan – 8.5
Back in the starting fifteen as a replacement for the injured Caelan Doris, Conan was excellent for his 44 minutes on the field. Put in numerous bullocking carries off the base and linked well with the backs. Took his try brilliantly and was not at fault for the general Irish malaise.

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9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 7
Kept the tempo high with crisp service under significant pressure from the Welsh back-row. Decision-making remained sharp, ensuring Ireland's attack had direction. Remains Ireland's emotional anchor.

10. Sam Prendergast – 6.5
Carried himself with that main-character energy and a gunslinger's spirit, always looking for the incisive pass, bold attacking angle or spiralled 50:22. Against that, his goalkicking let him down on occasion and he also had some clumsy handling moments that spoiled potential attacks. Looked gassed out in the final ten.

11. James Lowe – 5
Offered a strong carrying threat and patrolled his wing like a predatory big game cat waiting for a Welsh gazelle to ambush. Got found out for pace by Wales newbie Ellis Mee on at least one occasion and didn't get near Tom Rogers for Wales' 44th-minute try.

12. Robbie Henshaw – 6
Combined solidly with Leinster teammate Ringrose in midfield, mixing direct running and decent distribution. A typically physical showing in defence.

13. Garry Ringrose – 4
Back in the starting side after coming off the pine against Scotland. Maybe could have scored but for a poor pass from Jamie Osborne and was yellow-carded minutes later for a clumsy challenge that was upgraded to a 20-minute red.

14. Mack Hansen – 6
Attempted to exploit space whenever possible, with Ireland using him frequently as a mid-field carrying option. Made smart decisions in both attack and defence, but didn't quite get any purchase on the game.

15. Jamie Osborne – 5.5
Losing a highball contest wasn't the ideal start to his Six Nations debut and a rushed pass more or less killed a sure Ringrose try in the 30th minute. Was in the right place at the right time for Ireland's 55th-minute try and made a number of telling late plays that left him on the positive side of the ledger.

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Replacements

16. Gus McCarthy – NA
Wasn't sprung from the bench until 74th minute.

17. Jack Boyle – 9
As with McCarthy, not trusted enough to come on until the 70th minute with the game on the line. When he did come on he won the scrum penalty that may have guaranteed the win.

18. Finlay Bealham – 6
Improved Ireland's pish-poor scrum. Showed his usual willingness to carry, although opportunities were limited.

19. James Ryan – 6.5
Provided leadership and experience when introduced. Reliable in trenches but no big moments.

20. Ryan Baird – 7
A dynamic substitute, running good support lines and making a handful of tackles. Brought an urgency Ireland had been sorely lacking.

21. Conor Murray – NA
Not used until the 78th minute.

22. Jack Crowley – NA
Not used until the 72nd minute.

23. Bundee Aki – 8.5
Added extra thrust in midfield when Ireland needed ball carriers, as well as a mega-dose of aura.