2 Sam Prendergast

A night that exposed both Prendergast’s attacking promise and his defensive frailties. While he showed flashes of skill and improved after the break, France repeatedly targeted his reluctance to tackle, turning the Irish 10 channel into a glaring weakness.

Ratings

Rugby Pass: 4.5

Planet Rugby: 3

FloRugby 4

BALLS: 4

Comments

BALLS: “Like the rest of the team, struggled once France took over. Like his rivals for the 10 shirt, could be accused of overplaying at times, but did improve in the second half.”

FloRugby: “Defensively, he was heavily involved in the opening two French tries and missed seven tackles. While he did make 20 tackles overall, the damage had already been done.”

Rugby Pass: “Had his moments in attack but steers Ireland like a drunken F1 driver – plenty of skill but liable to appalling lapses in judgement. Improved as Ireland enjoyed a short-lived second-half purple patch.”

Planet Rugby: “It gets to the point where you question if a 10 can continually get picked when they can’t tackle or, as it seems at times, simply won’t tackle. Prendergast started off well enough with a lovely cross-field kick but his defensive issues then cost Ireland. He refuses to put his body on the line which is unacceptable at any level but particularly in the Test arena. An utterly woeful display.”

3 Jacob Stockdale

Given a chance to reassert himself at Test level, Stockdale endured a frustrating return to the Six Nations spotlight. A missed tackle for France’s opener set the tone, and despite some aerial competitiveness, his defensive shortcomings again came to the fore.

Ratings

Rugby Pass: 4
Planet Rugby: 4
BALLS: 4

Comments

BALLS: “A frustrating night having missed the tackle on Bielle-Biarrey for France’s first try. Competed well aerially against Theo Attissogbe, but Ireland struggled on the transition phases all night.”

Planet Rugby: “Given an opportunity ahead of the out-of-form James Lowe but it was a day to forget on the left wing. Stockdale’s defence has been criticised in the past and his tackle attempt on Louis Bielle-Biarrey for the first try was abysmal. It didn’t get much better after that.”

Rugby Pass: “His first Six Nations game in four years, Stockdale failed to take a high ball with his first touch. Tried to be useful, but it’s not immediately clear what exactly Stockdale brings to the table at this level anymore.”

CONTINUES ON PAGE THREE

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