Ireland were outfought and outplayed in their opening Guinness Six Nations match against France.
Les Bleus had the bonus point wrapped up at the start of the second half and took their foot off the pedal as the visitors scored two tries in a four-minute spell around the hour mark.
Here’s how we rated the Irish players in their 36-14 loss.
15. Jamie Osborne – 5.5
Honest outing but was restricted, superb early 50:22 but Ireland couldn’t make anything of it. Made 76 metres off 10 carries.
14. Tommy O’Brien – 5.5
Couldn’t really get going and part of back three that was dominated in the air. Was turned over four times according to the stats. One linebreak and his early chip and chase almost led to a try; withdrawn after 50 minutes for Jack Crowley.
13. Garry Ringrose – 5.5
Made no real impact up against two in-form opposition centres. Saved a try late on with a tackle in the corner but missed four overall. Unlucky that his late breakaway from the Irish line led to nothing with France not penalised for an offside.
12. Stuart McCloskey – 6
A tough shift in challenging conditions. Had little to work with but did very well to assist Nick Timoney’s try. Ended up as Ireland’s top carrier with 14 and picked off an intercept when France threatened.
11. Jacob Stockdale – 5
Missed three tackles, including for Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s opening try and didn’t get much change out of the many high balls he chased. Turned over three times in possession.
10. Sam Prendergast – 5
Another mixed bag but the out-half has to get more of the basics correct. Kicked out on the full and threw an intercept that was easily read. Had seven missed tackles to his name but was also the top Irish tackler in the backs with 13. Lovely soft pass in build-up to Ireland’s first try.
9. Jamison Gibson-Park – 5.5
No shame in being outplayed by the world’s best scrum-half but the Leinster man will know he can play better. Mixed good and poor kicks and got smashed by Antoine Dupont after taking the wrong option at a ruck when Ireland had momentum. Uncharacteristically missed five tackles.
1. Jeremy Loughman – 6
If the brief was to lock out the scrum then it was a good Six Nations bow for the prop. Won a penalty at the scrum and did as much as he could in the loose, completing 12 tackles.
2. Dan Sheehan – 6
Throwing was good and scrummaging solid. Did his best to get something going but restricted in opportunities.
3. Thomas Clarkson – 6
Solid, honest shift from the tighthead thrown in at the deep end.
4. Joe McCarthy – 4.5
Hard to know what he was thinking when giving away a penalty which Thomas Ramos converted and dropped a simple catch. If Ireland were to be competitive he had to be at his best. He wasn’t.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 6.5
Took his share of lineout throws and was his usual industrious self around the field. Won three turnovers but the Irish pack was distinctly second best.
6. Cian Prendergast 6.5
The older Prendergast brother can be happy with his 50 minutes. Shored up the lineout and did his best to spoil the French maul, winning a turnover scrum at one point. Made 12 tackles.
7. Josh van der Flier – 5.5
Outplayed by the French back row. Unusually quite outing for the former World Rugby Player of the Year. Lost the ball in contact a few times, including before Charles Ollivon’s try.
8. Caelan Doris – 6.5
Tried his best to get his team on the front foot but didn’t get much joy in the face of a ferocious French forward unit. Ireland’s top tackler with 15.
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher (Sheehan 62) – 5.5
No real impact as France regained momentum in the final quarter.
17. Michael Milne (Loughman 60) – 5.5
Can be happy with a try on Six Nations debut on just his third cap.
18. Finlay Bealham (Clarkson 60) – 5
Tried hard in difficult circumstances.
19. James Ryan (McCarthy 49) – 6.5
Brought some edge that was missing in the first half.
20. Jack Conan (Cian Prendergast 49) – 6
Tried hard during Ireland’s upswing.
21. Nick Timoney (Van der Flier 49) – 6.5
Was in the right place to finish off Ireland’s first try, made seven carries, prominent in Ireland’s best phase.
22. Craig Casey (Osborne 73)
Not rated.
23. Jack Crowley (O’Brien 49) – 5
Came on at full-back but couldn’t get anything going.