Ire v Scot: Ireland's player ratings
Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:05
Dan Parks kicked a touchline penalty with just over a minute remaining to secure Scotland's first win of the season, in the final round of Six Nations action, as they edged Ireland 23-20 at Croke Park on Saturday.
Despite outscoring the Scots by two tries to one - wonderful efforts by Brian O'Driscoll and Tommy Bowe - the Irish were made to pay for their numerous errors.
The Scottish try by Johnnie Beattie was marvellous too, and Parks kicked five penalties, including the magnificent match-winning effort close to full time, plus a drop-goal to break the Irish hearts.
rugby365.com rates the Irish players:
15 Geordan Murphy
Went off injured in the 26th minute - up to then impressive for his workrate and support play.
6/10
14 Tommy Bowe
A lethal finisher - skilful, quick and strong; looks for work too. Not many wings would have scored the try he
did.
9/10
13 Brian O'Driscoll
Skilful on attack - clever; timing marvellous. What a pleasure it must be to play outside him.
8/10
12 Gordon D'Arcy
Good on attack but not at his best; one knock-on cost his team 50 metres and a lot of pressure.
6/10
11 Keith Earls
Looked sharp, alert, eager to run at the opposition, but not given enough ball.
7/10
10 Jonathan Sexton
Some good moments - like the run-around which set up O'Driscoll's try, but appeared tentative at times. Goal-kicking not as accurate as he'd have liked. Subbed in the 51st minute.
5/10
9 Tomas O'Leary
Alert and nippy; had to be watched carefully by defenders, but service not as consistent as he'd like.
6/10
8 Jamie Heaslip
Along with Wallace, the
best of the Irish forwards. High workrate, good in support, made eight tackles.
7/10
7 David Wallace
Like Heaslip, effective in continuity; good ball-carrier - also made eight tackles
7/10
6 Stephen Ferris
Good, but not consistently so. Strong on the drive; fair workrate.
6/10
5 Paul O'Connell
Not nearly at his best. Line-outs were a mess; he gave away penalties. And his team lacked composure when it counted.
4/10
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
An ordinary performance. Strong on the drive occasionally, but line-outs disappointing.
5/10
3 John Hayes
Scrummaging satisfactory but no great effect on the game away from the set pieces. Subbed in the 79th minute.
5/10
2 Rory Best
Did some work around the field but the
line-outs were a disaster area for Ireland, losing eight out of 17.
3/10
1 Cian Healy
Scrummaging satisfactory, occasionally strong the drive; better around the field than his front row mates.
6/10
Replacements:
16 Sean Cronin
Did not play.
17 Tony Buckley (on for Hayes in the 79th min)
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Leo Cullen
Did not play.
19 Shane Jennings
Did not play.
20 Eoin Reddan
Did not play.
21 Ronan O'Gara (on for Sexton in the 51st min)
Did well in his half hour on the field without being spectacular - good options; accurate goal-kicking.
7/10
22 Robert Kearney (on for Murphy in the 26th min)
Not a game he'll want to remember -
conceded the penalty which stretched Scotland's lead to 17-7 and then his sadly wrong option cost Ireland the penalty which lost them the game.
3/10
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