Hugo Keenan
Excellent all round until hit by Freddie Steward. Tackling, high ball, lines of running excellent for 40 minutes.
Rating: 9
Mack Hansen
Lots of early involvement in defence and attack and was a threat when Ireland had few on offer. Strong performance
Rating: 9
[ Ireland got there in the end but boy oh boy, they’d put years on youOpens in new window ]
Robbie Henshaw
Worked hard and tackled his share. Less visible in the first half but scored a crucial try when it was a one point game.
Rating: 8
Bundee Aki
A tackling machine in the first half. Willing and real physicality threatened England. Smashed Steward. Carried hard.
Rating: 8
James Lowe
A bit of everything but got under the opponent’s noses and made ground. Tackled hard too and kept energy levels high.
Rating: 7
Johnny Sexton
An excellent crossfield kick in the second half when Ireland needed something. Place kicking flawless. A captain’s game.
Rating: 8
Jamison Gibson-Park
Set the tempo as always. Quick to the break down with crisp passing and always the threat of something else.
Rating: 8
Andrew Porter
Aggressive and effective in the loose. As always put his body on the line and sets a feisty example around the park.
Rating: 8
Dan Sheehan
Great take and showed real dynamism in the dash for his first try. Then another on the right wing and why not for player of the match?
Rating: 9
Tadhg Furlong
A few signs of rust in the first half but a good shift and high work rate. Super defensive work in the opening phases.
Rating: 7
Ryan Baird
Showed great athletic ability and always able to grind in defence. Big turnover late in the second half and carried strongly in traffic.
Rating: 8
James Ryan
Big input throughout the game and took some effective carries. Right to the end was abrasive and competitive.
Rating: 9
Peter O’Mahony
Took a few tough lineouts and was his usual abrasive presence around the breakdown, especially during the early phases.
Rating: 7
Josh van der Flier
Huge workrate from the flanker and was a nuisance as normal. His peel away and delivery to Sheehan for the first try showed perfect timing.
Rating: 9
Caelan Doris
Not as visible as he has been in a heavy kicking game. Effective in the thick of yards gained and tackling. Good outing.
Rating: 8
Replacements
Excellent work from Jack Conan, particularly his offload to Sheehan for the third try. The bench dovetailed seamlessly, including Jimmy O’Brien at fullback and Rob Herring scoring the final try.
Rating: 9
Coach
A Grand Slam match eked out against an improved England team. Not Ireland’s most polished performance but it is about results. Again, bench used well to close out and improve the score.
Rating: 9
