France 30 Ireland 24: Ireland player ratings

John O’Sullivan hands out the marks to Andy Farrell’s side from the Stade de France

Tadhg Beirne was Ireland’s standout player against France. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Tadhg Beirne was Ireland’s standout player against France. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

15 Hugo Keenan

For a player who has been the epitome of consistent excellence he made several uncharacteristic errors both in kicking and defending, including two turnovers. One superb trademark break, but overall a tough afternoon. Rating: 5

14 Andrew Conway

He chased everything with typical gusto and won several aerial duels but in terms of getting ball in hand got very few opportunities and found Gabin Villiere a handful. Rating: 6

13 Garry Ringrose

He missed an early tackle on Yoram Moefana but thereafter he got better and better as the game progressed, especially in the second half when he broke the French defensive line to give his side a platform to attack off quick, front foot ball. Rating: 7

12 Bundee Aki

He ran hard, tackled aggressively but didn't have his customary physical impact. One or two decisions he'd probably like to revise but a huge work-rate in a difficult setting. Rating: 6

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11 Mack Hansen

Learned a valuable lesson about not turning away as France took a quick throw for their first try but atoned in spectacular fashion with a try of his own. He adds value when he gets on the ball so just needs to see a little more of it. Rating: 7

Joey Carbery performed admirably in difficult circumstances. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho
Joey Carbery performed admirably in difficult circumstances. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

10 Joey Carbery

His place-kicking was superb as was his restart for the Hansen try. A couple of flashes of that footwork of old but he needs so much more game time to try and recapture his best. He did pretty well in the circumstances. Rating: 7

9 Jamison Gibson-Park

One or two rushed passes, one or two box-kicks that didn't travel the required distance but considering that Ireland were pulverised at the breakdown, he worked hard and his try was a piece of individual brilliance. Rating: 7

1 Andrew Porter

He conceded two penalties at scrum time, one harshly and won another at a ruck and along with his frontrow colleagues put in a massive shift. He was one of the few Irish forwards who survived the collisions to carry over the gain-line. Rating: 7

2 Ronan Kelleher

He had started the game with purpose epitomised by one huge hit on his opposite number Julien Marchand and tagged on a couple of typically powerful carries. The injury deprived Ireland of one of the few players who matched up physically. Rating: 6

3 Tadhg Furlong

Like his fellow prop it was a monumental physical exertion and he took on some dirty, stationary ball and turned it into something usable. He was caught once or twice and gave away a penalty but can be reasonably satisfied with his contribution. Rating: 7

Tadhg Furlong was at the heart of Ireland’s forward effort. Photograph:  Adam Davy/PA
Tadhg Furlong was at the heart of Ireland’s forward effort. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA

4 Tadhg Beirne

Is there anything that Tadhg Beirne can't do? Well not on the evidence of an outstanding performance that included one glorious kick through. He was superb in everything he did, his team's premier player. Rating: 9

5 James Ryan (capt)

There's no faulting the effort or application but the stand-in Ireland captain had an unhappy time prior to his departure at the end of the first half, conceding two penalties and allowed a lineout to escape his grasp but he came out in the second half and turned in a display that better represented his talent, leading by example. Rating: 6

6 Caelan Doris

A curate's egg of a display, some of which was brilliant and other parts untidy. He made 16 tackles and a couple of line breaks but conceded a couple of penalties and three turnovers in a topsy turvy contribution. Rating: 6

7 Josh van der Flier

He scored a try, worked his socks off for the team but was part of an Irish backrow that were obliterated at the breakdown where the French counter-rucking and aggression forced Ireland into 16 turnovers. Rating: 6

8 Jack Conan

It wasn't his day, made an impression in general play supported by the numbers; seven tackles, three carries, seven metres and one penalty. He could get on the ball enough and on one occasion kicked when he might have passed and linked. Rating: 5

Replacements

Dan Sheehan turned in a brilliant performance in a very challenging environment physically and also managed to prevent a try with some superb scrambling defence. Along with Iain Henderson, he managed to inject some energy and dynamism, while others were afforded very limited time. Rating: 6

Coach

Andy Farrell will be pleased with the character that Ireland showed when they were being physically battered and the fact that his team found a way to claw back a route into the game. The fact that they could have won it in the end and continued to play their patterns speaks volumes for the belief that the coaches and players have in what they are trying to accomplish. Rating: 6

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan

John O'Sullivan is an Irish Times sports writer