15. Jordan Larmour – 6
Rock solid under the high ball in what was a truly reassuring performance but lacked that bite to make any real in-roads into the Scottish defence. Larmour is always busy and when given an inch can take a mile but he just didn’t get that inch today.
14. Calvin Nash – 7
Oh, so close to scoring another international try; Nash very nearly set up another, too. His elevation to the starting lineup in Mack Hansen’s has been a godsend for Ireland in terms of depth. Should he continue his rich vein of form with Munster, then there will be a real debate about who fills that number 14 shirt.
13. Robbie Henshaw – 6
Dynamic and powerful throughout the fixture with the ball in hand, and defensively, he put in some big hits. Two crucial knock-ons ended an Irish attack and allowed Huw Jones to slip away for Scotland’s try. In reality, he is far more suited to the inside centre position, and Garry Ringrose will likely return for the South African tour if fit.
12. Bundee Aki – 8
Like his centre partner, Aki just continues to roll on as Ireland’s go-forward machine. Capable of making yards from a standing start, the twilight years of Aki’s career sure have been sweet so far.
11. James Lowe – 7
He is an ever-present threat out wide; unfortunately, he just didn’t see too much ball bar some sublime long passes from Jamison Gibson-Park. His offload to Bundee Aki down the left-hand touchline nearly had the centre away for a try.
10. Jack Crowley – 7
Maturing each and every week, Crowley is the real deal in the number ten shirt and has put some distance between himself and any other contenders in this Championship. Defensively, he is sound, and his kicking game continues to improve with some lovely efforts today.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 8
The man of the match was superb as ever and proved once again that he dictates the Irish tempo. His box kicking was pinpoint, and his two long balls out to Lowe on the wing were truly world-class.
8. Caelen Doris – 7
Not his most effective performance in terms of meters made but he is ever present and always does the hard yards when needed. Routinely doubled up by defenders, he still manages to get Ireland’s go-forward ball and is a disruptive force at the breakdown.
7. Josh van der Flier – 7
Ireland’s unsung hero, the amount of work he gets through every match is off the charts. Whilst he is not the biggest in the Irish pack he utilises his exceptional footwork to make yards and is so quick to latch onto ruck ball.
6. Peter O’Mahony – 7
A titanic defensive showing from the skipper in what is reportedly his final time wearing the green jersey. His usual deft touches returned, but it was his work around the breakdown and at the tackle point that caught the eye today.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7
Like van der Flier, Beirne is an absolute workhorse and covers so much grass every fixture and today was no exception. As the line-out leader, there is plenty of work to do ahead of what will be a brutally tough tour to South Africa
4. Joe McCarthy – 6
Since bursting onto the scene through the opening three rounds, things have been a bit quieter for ‘Big Joe’, but there is little doubt of his potential. Making his presence felt at the ruck, McCarthy shunted the Scottish off plenty of ball but didn’t have that trademark carry.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 7
All the way back! Furlong is hitting top form once again, which is a huge development given how reliant Ireland remains on him. Spearheading an utterly dominant scrum today, the tighthead is the rock of the Irish pack.
2. Dan Sheehan – 6
A try in the 12th minute was a huge moment as he pounced on a loose line-out ball from a Scottish line-out. The issues at line-out time continue to be a major concern and are Ireland’s Achilles heel at the time of writing.
1. Andrew Porter – 8
Like his prop pal, Porter is so crucial to Ireland as his minutes on the pitch attest to. Today’s performance appeared to be a real vindication of his scrummaging prowess which has been called into question of late. His ability to get on the ball so frequently whilst popping off well-timed passes is a crucial part of the Irish attacking game.
16. Ronan Kelleher – 7
A superb cameo off the bench, Kelleher is like having an extra backrow on the park with his ability around the ruck and the line-out generally seems to calm down with him on the pitch.
17. Cian Healy – 6
A steady presence from the bench, Healy is a marvel at 36 years old and held his own in the scrum once again today.
18. Finlay Bealham – 7
Facing stiff competition from newcomer Oli Jager, Bealham responded in kind and once again ensured that the performance level didn’t drop when he came on.
19. Ryan Baird – 6
The heir apparent in the number six shirt, Baird, makes such a difference in the line-out, and the threat of him running it in from 50 meters captures the defence’s attention.
20. Jack Conan – 7
Adds a serious drive off the bench and had a crucial kick cover that stopped a dangerous Scottish attack.
21. Conor Murray – 6
Controlled proceedings from the bench and closed out the game.
22. Harry Byrne – 4
A yellow card for a high shot and a couple of off-target kicks was not the best cameo off the bench for the talented Leinster flyhalf.
23. Garry Ringrose – 6
Reminded everyone of why he was missed at Twickenham with a crucial intercept stopping a Scottish attack and nearly resulting in an Irish try. Unfortunately, he did have a knock on when he looked certain to score as he juggled a ball that went behind him, but make no mistake, he is Ireland’s 13.
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