Ireland Player Ratings v Wales

Ireland Player Ratings v Wales

Ireland cruised to an impressive opening-round victory in the first 2022 Six Nations clash.

They scored four tries in the 29-7 win over Wales to secure a full house of points in an impressive team performance.

Bundee Aki opened the scoring in the first three minutes of the game with Jonathan Sexton slotting one of his three penalty attempts as Ireland lead 10-0 at halftime.

Andrew Conway scored his first try three minutes into the second half before Josh Adams was shown a yellow card for a reckless hit on Sexton.

Ireland took advantage of the card as Conway scored his 51st minute with Garry Ringrose speeding to score one for himself on the hour mark. Wales managed to grab a try back through Taine Bashman but the damage was done by then. 


 

Here is how we rated Andy Farrell's charges. 


 

 

15. Hugo Keenan - 7 

Some classy touches in the first half with a particularly nice offload. A safe presence in the Ireland backfield producing an assured performance. 

14. Andrew Conway - 8

On hand to chalk up two tries, the second was far easier finish than the first. He was solid under the high ball when needed but wasn't tested too much on defence. Replaced by Hume after 62 minutes. 

13. Garry Ringrose - 8


Proved to be an excellent link man when Ireland shifted the ball into the wider channels. He and Sexton combined well while he took his chance to score wonderfully as he sped away to the try line. 

12. Bundee Aki - 7

Good early score out wide as he kept the width to score. He mixed up his approach on attack well making just about as many passes as he did carries and was a rock on defence.

11. Mack Hansen - 8.5

 

A great first touch in test rugby put Wales under pressure and led to the lineout that Ireland scored from with Hansen assisting Aki. Popped up at key times on attack to create or make a line break and looked comfortable at test level. A promising debut. Deservedly named man of the match. 



10. Johnny Sexton - 7

Not his finest performance from the tee but was excellent with the ball in hand. Clever kicks in behind and the loop is still effective. 

9. Jamison Gibson-Park - 7

Barring the odd poor pass, Gibson-Park was quick, accurate and kept the tempo of the Ireland attack. Solid performance. Thew a nice pass out for Conway to score his second. 

1. Andrew Porter - 8

Started to get the upper hand at scrum time in the second half. Porter was superb over the ball once again with a turnover in the first half. 

2. Ronan Kelleher - 7.5

A solid outing overall from the hooker with an accurate set-piece performance paired with great carries and hard hits on defence. Can't ask for much more. 

3. Tadhg Furlong - 7.5

Wasn't tested in the scrums as his ball-handling ability shone. Ireland dominated possession while he was on the pitch but Furlong still managed seven tackles while proving to be an excellent link man with the backs. He made four strong carries too. 




4. Tadhg Beirne - 7

Put van der Flier into a gap that led to Conway's second try. Workmanlike performance as he cleared out rucks and carried strongly into the Welsh defence. He also managed a turnover at the lineout. An offload from the deck by Beirne was intercepted which did but a damper on a fine performance. 

5. James Ryan - 7

Landing a number of thunderous hits in his 65-minute performance making 11 tackles in total. The lineout was accurate while he was on the pitch while he carried into contact well too.  

6. Caelan Doris - 7

Not quite as blockbuster as his performance against the All Blacks but Doris was busy around the park. He was key to ensuring that Ireland had quick rucks and made metres with every carry he made. 

7. Josh van der Flier - 8

Strong on either side of the ball as he produced another tidy shift. Aggressive hits on defence and managed to find a hole or two in the Welsh defence. 

8. Jack Conan - 7

Picked up from where he left off in the Green jersey last year. Brilliantly effective with ball in hand making around six metres per carry and managed a turnover in the first half. Substituted after a strong 50 minutes. 

Replacements: 

16. Dan Sheehan - 6.5

17. Cian Healy - 6

18. Finlay Bealham - 6

19. Ryan Baird - 6

20. Peter O'Mahony - 7

21. Conor Murray - 6

22. Joey Carbery - 5 

23. James Hume - 6

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