A topsy-turvy November for Ireland.

After two losses – the All Blacks and South Africa – and two wins – Japan and Australia – we have digested Ireland’s games over the last month and had a look at which players enhanced their reputation and who went down.

Winners

Ryan Baird

Ireland’s top performer across November, playing every minute for his country until he was forced off after 60 against South Africa with a fractured tibia.

He has been a clear upgrade on what Peter O’Mahony was in his last season, which is not a slight on the Ireland icon, as he was still performing at a high level.

O’Mahony’s point of difference was often his defensive lineout ability and knack of making key steals on the opposition throw.

And Ireland have not lost out here, with Baird showing world-class expertise in this area.

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After making waves early in his professional career, his rate of improvement plateaued somewhat, but he is beginning to fulfil his potential in a big way, and has been one of the best forwards in the game based on the last month.

No longer is he mainly known for the flashy 30-metre gallops, but is also a force in the tight battles.

Paddy McCarthy

Andy Farrell received some flack online for his selection of McCarthy ahead of Munster’s Michael Milne, after just three starts for Leinster.

However, like he has many times before, Ireland’s head coach was proven right after a controversial selection call.

The loosehead came off the bench against the All Blacks for his debut and did not look out of place in the slightest. He followed that up with a first try against Japan, and a first start in the big win over the Wallabies.

With Andrew Porter getting carded against the Springboks, he got plenty of time on the pitch against the most fearsome pack in the world.

Like his fellow front rowers he was soundly beaten at the scrum, but in the loose he was Ireland’s best player with multiple strong carries in the tight and a superb turnover while Ireland were defending their line.

A big career in green lies ahead for the 22-year-old.

Mack Hansen

The cult hero came into the Australia game with just five appearances for club, country, and the Lions, since last year’s Six Nations.

It didn’t matter in the slightest, and, if anything, seemed to do him the world of good.

Starting in his less familiar position of fullback, the first time he has done so for his country, he produced a hat-trick in a man of the match showing, running the Aussies ragged as he dominated the air.

With James Lowe’s drop-off in form and Ireland struggling for creativity and spark in the backline, his importance to the side has increased tenfold.

Stuart McCloskey

He was somewhat of a surprise selection to start against the All Blacks, with Farrell rarely picking outside the holy trinity of Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, and Robbie Henshaw.

But he paid the gesture back in spades, and was the standout back for his country, with New Zealand struggling to contain his power and offloading.

After missing the Japan game through injury, he returned against Australia, and despite being forced off after just 26 minutes, he showed in his brief cameo that he should remain Ireland’s first-choice inside centre for the time being.

Fingers crossed he can make it back for the Six Nations.

Losers

James Lowe

Such was the winger’s flair for creating big moments out of nothing, that he has arguably been Ireland’s most important outside back over the past two seasons.

However, with a dearth of these moments, his lack of pace is often a detriment to the side and was exposed against South Africa.

On a number of occasions he was put away down the left but was unable to do much more than kick over the covering defence.

James Ryan

The lock was part of a dire lineout unit over the first two games, with Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan equally to blame.

He is still one of Ireland’s most aggressive players in the tight, but he went too far with this style of play in the last game, resulting in one of the most needless and costly cards you’ll see.

It is certainly a low point for the player, but he will be back stronger.

Andrew Porter

The interpretation of Porter’s scrummaging has been 50/50 depending on the referee, but can go disastrously wrong for Ireland at times.

Saturday’s game was as bad as it could possibly get, with Paddy McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, and Finlay Bealham also struggling immensely.

His place in the side will come under severe scrutiny, especially with the rise of McCarthy.

Dan Sheehan

He hasn’t lost too much ground given the amount of credit in the bank he has amassed since breaking into the side.

But he has certainly lost his crown as the world’s best hooker, with Malcolm Marx taking home World Rugby’s Player of the Year award, and, as aforementioned, was a big part of Ireland’s struggling set-piece.

Furthermore, we didn’t see any of the destruction in the loose that we know he is capable of.