On another day, against more ruthless opponents, Ireland could have been thrashed.
Early tries for Jonny May and Anthony Watson set an impressive English tone but Ireland showed some fight after the break.
Here is how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men following their 21-13 defeat to England at Twickenham.
Simon Zebo – 4
Drifted out of the line and was then shrugged off when attempting a recovering tackle on Jonny May, for England’s opening try. Exposed under a cross-kick after 15 minutes, allowing Anthony Watson to score.
Tommy Bowe – 4
Was bounced by May for his try – a worrying sight. England hounded Bowe down his channel and he struggled. When he got on the front foot, he looked rusty and twice spilled forward in contact.
Jared Payne – 5
Teamed up well with Sexton for a turnover that released a pressure valve. Got over the gainline consistently. Was turned over, though, in a one-on-one dart at Jonathan Joseph. Turned over again at the death.
Robbie Henshaw – 5
Showed very, very little in attack. Called for a forward pass that, had it been straighter, would have led to a certain try.
Dave Kearney – 8
Ireland’s best player. Great kick-chase and his speed was crucial in pressuring England into errors. Huge hit on George Ford in defence. Not spectacular in attack but a constant threat and a sturdy presence out wide. As brave in the air as his brother.
Johnny Sexton – 5
Sturdy in defence and his goal-kicking was on the money. Great rip, in defence, on Tom Wood secured a crucial turnover. Still getting up to speed. Must start against Canada. Limped off with a tight calf.
Conor Murray – 4
Shipped an early blow and looked shaken. Ireland took no chances and his afternoon was done.
Jack McGrath – 6
An eager, effective tackler in the loose. Well into double figures after 50 minutes of action. His penchant for giving away stupid penalties reared its head in the final quarter.
Rory Best – 6
A fierce tackler. Some of his hits drove Englishmen back a matter of metres. His lineout throw to Toner from 5m out was telegraphed and stolen. His ruck clear-out, on 50 minutes, teed up O’Connell for his try.
Mike Ross – 7
Great to have the big guy back in the scrum. Gave England what for, in tight. England went after him in attacking set-plays and profited with gains.
Devin Toner – 4
His weakness is missed tackles. Started well but fell off a couple of white shirts. Was disrupted in the lineout.
Paul O’Connell – 6
Got airborne and troubled the English line-out for most of the afternoon. Targeted by England for their mauls – negate O’Connell and you hobble Ireland. As he grew into the match, so did Ireland. Scrambled ovr for a second-half try that got his team back in the contest.
Peter O’Mahony – 7
His primary job is to shift players at the breakdown (in defence) and ensure quick ball (in attack). Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood often got the better on him. Ruck defence stopped a Richard Wigglesworth try.
Sean O’Brien – 5
Sat a couple of Englishmen down. Guilty of some extremely loose passes that gifted possession to the hosts. Woeful knock-on 5m from the English line just on half-time.
Jamie Heaslip – 6
Nice pick and burst off the back of a crumpled English scrum. Tried to tap-tackle Anthony Watson and was left chewing grass. His turnover, on Tom Youngs, sparked a 50m break upfield and eventually led to O’Connell’s try. Evaded like a lammpost by May, on 67 minutes.
Replacements
Richard Strauss – 5
(On for Best ’61) Not much opportunity to open up with ball in hand.
Tadhg Furlong – 4
(On for Zebo ’69) The tighthead started as loosehead cover and came on for a fullback. Memorable away debut despite the result. Fell off one tackle.
Nathan White – 5
(On for Ross ’59) Only had one scrum to test himself with. Made some good hits in open play.
Donnacha Ryan – 5
(On for O’Connell ’65) Heaved into a few tackles but Ireland ended defending rather than attacking. Good covering slide and pluck prevented try.
Chris Henry – 6
(On for O’Brien ’61) Thrummed with menace in defence.
Eoin Reddan – 6
(On for Murray ’16) Ireland’s fortunes improved after his introduction. As always, put zip on the ball and made England think with snipes. Missed with his only two tackles attempts.
Ian Madigan – 5
(On for Henshaw ’59) Played outhalf for the final 20. Stood up well to England’s big, big centres.
Darren Cave – 4
(On for Kearney ’59) Struggled to impose himself on the game. Canny block on Farrell helped stop another try.
