Ireland have received a Triple Crown after a pulsating workforce efficiency in opposition to Scotland. But which performances made the actual distinction. Read our skilled’s MATCH RATINGS after an epic recreation…
Jamie Osborne 8
HE’S been one of the most important discoveries since the last World Cup. Finished on the wing here, but should end up at centre.
Robert Baloucoune 7
HAD work to do for his try, and he did it with flair. He had plenty to do in defence and handled that, too.
Garry Ringrose 7
THERE were some miscued defensive blasts but he generally found his target and helped in shutting down a dangerous visiting attack.
Stuart McCloskey 9
A STUNNING catalogue yet again: shuddering tackles, the coursing of Finn Russell, the raking pass to Baloucoune in for his try. Ireland’s player of the championship
Tommy O’Brien 8
HIS power in the air was in evidence again, and his searing pace gave Ireland their crucial fifth try, before adding a sixth for good measure.
Ireland lift the Triple Crown trophy after the Guinness Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium
Jack Crowley 8
NOT everything was perfect, but most of what he did was very good, including his place-kicking. This felt like a big play for the shirt.
Jamison Gibson-Park 8
SET the beat in attack but he was notably ferocious in defence, too. He is the heartbeat of this emerging team, like he was in the previous one.
Tom O’Toole 8
WON A penalty at the game’s first scrum, and that set the tone for another excellent outing. Now a priceless, adaptable option.
Dan Sheehan 8
Mesmeric footwork to keep Russell’s penalty in play, not to mention a try and his part in a newly smooth-running line-out. Back to his best.
Tadhg Furlong 6
THIS hasn’t been an easy championship for the veteran, and he had his share of difficulty here again. The scrum held up, though.
Joe McCarthy 8
THERE’S a more sophisticated side to his game than just power, but the heft he gives on both sides of the ball makes Ireland tougher.
Tadhg Beirne 8
PEERLESS in the line-out, busy on the floor, this was Beirne at his recognisably most effective. Vital he’s managed carefully to the World Cup.
Jack Conan 7
LOOKED like he enjoyed it, pumping his fists and rousing the crowd. This is his best run of form in the Irish shirt.
Josh van der Flier 8
FOR the second time this spring, responded to a recall with a stunning display. Scotland fancied the breakdown, but van der Flier helped to rule it.
Caelan Doris, left, and Jamie Osborne of Ireland after their side’s victory in the Guinness 6 Nations Rugby Championship
Caelan Doris 8
STRIPPED his game back to its raw components of tackling, carrying and foraging, and he shone. Out-played his vaunted opposite number, and bullocked in attack for good measure.
Replacements 7
Darragh Murray’s Six Nations debut, initially as a blood sub, yielded a crucial try. Farrell brought on six subs in the 65th minute with the game on a knife-edge.
They arrived in time for the move that yielded the team’s decisive fifth try, and helped see out a memorable performance.
Coach 9
AFTER a crushing start in Paris, this Six Nations deserves to be ranked as one of Andy Farrell’s finest. He is rebuilding the team while winning four out of five matches, and proving the doubters wrong.
No wonder he’s so coveted.
