2\u00a0Sam Prendergast<\/p>\n
A night that exposed both Prendergast\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Ratings<\/p>\n
Rugby Pass: 4.5<\/p>\n
Planet Rugby: 3<\/p>\n
FloRugby 4<\/p>\n
BALLS: 4<\/p>\n
Comments<\/p>\n
BALLS:\u00a0\u201cLike 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
FloRugby: \u201cDefensively, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rugby Pass:\u00a0\u201cHad his moments in attack but steers Ireland like a drunken F1 driver \u2013 plenty of skill but liable to appalling lapses in judgement. Improved as Ireland enjoyed a short-lived second-half purple patch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Planet Rugby:\u00a0\u201cIt gets to the point where you question if a 10 can continually get picked when they can\u2019t tackle or, as it seems at times, simply won\u2019t 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
3 Jacob Stockdale<\/p>\n
Given a chance to reassert himself at Test level, Stockdale endured a frustrating return to the Six Nations spotlight. A missed tackle for France\u2019s opener set the tone, and despite some aerial competitiveness, his defensive shortcomings again came to the fore.<\/p>\n
Ratings<\/p>\n
Rugby Pass: 4
Planet Rugby: 4
BALLS: 4<\/p>\n
Comments<\/p>\n
BALLS:\u00a0\u201cA frustrating night having missed the tackle on Bielle-Biarrey for France\u2019s first try. Competed well aerially against Theo Attissogbe, but Ireland struggled on the transition phases all night.\u201d<\/p>\n