15. Rob Kearney: 7
Kearney looked a threat with the ball throughout and made plenty of ground. He was typically solid under the high ball and rewarded for his lung-busting support play with a well taken try in the second half.

14. Dave Kearney: 8
Emulated his recent form with another impressive display. Enjoyed the abudance of ball in hand and exploited the acres of space the Irish back line created for him with his searing pace. Finished his try brilliantly.

13. Jared Payne: 8
Showcased an impressive blend of force and guile. Battered his way through the red line with several direct lines and bamboozled them with a few clever dummy runs too. Crossed for a well-deserved score but gifted Canada a try with a loose kick.

12. Luke Fitzgerald: 7
Thoroughly enjoyed his belated World Cup debut, worked well with Payne in the midfield and tormented the Canucks with his fast feet and clever lines. Saved a certain try with some well-timed rush defence late in the first half. Set up Ireland’s fourth try but did not really do enough to claim Robbie Henshaw’s starting spot.

11. Keith Earls: 7.5
Looked energetic and explosive early on, had plenty of room to run and always looked to counter attack. Set up Kearney’s try with a scintillating break and a fine pass.

10. Johnny Sexton: 9
By the time Sexton made way for Madigan and returned to his bubble wrap coat, his job was done. Initiated and executed an array of intricate back moves, orchestrated his back line with authority and galloped over for a try of his own. Accurate off the tee and out of hand.

9. Conor Murray: 7.5
Had all the time he needed behind a dominant Irish pack as he sauntered around under very little pressure. His service was quick and clean and his kicking was just as accurate.

1. Jack McGrath: 7
Scrummaged well, looked strong in defence and worked very hard at the breakdown.

2. Rory Best: 8
Flawless at the lineout as Ireland won 100% of their own throws, played his part in a strong scum too. Tenacious at the breakdown and solid in defence, deserves to start ahead of Cronin next week.

3. Mike Ross: 6.5
Enjoyed a straightforward day at the set piece as he dominated his opposite number in the scrum. Looked lively in the loose too.

4. Iain Henderson: 9
Topped the tackle count with 19 and was just as effective in attack with several powerful carries. Crossed over for an early score and should have had another later on.

5. Paul O’Connell: 6
Probably the only player in the world who can return from the sin bin to the sound of cheers and applause. Led from the front with a series of dynamic carries and was unlucky not to score when he was held up over the line. Needlessly sin-binned though for a cynical foul.

6. Peter O’Mahony: 7.5
This was always going to be too easy for a flanker of O’Mahony’s pedigree. Industrious and energetic in the loose, imposing at the breakdown and effective in the lineout.

7. Sean O’Brien: 8.5
First to almost everything on the floor and always made himself available for a carry. Bullied his way over the gainline on countless occasions and got himself on the score sheet from the base of a rolling maul.

8. Jamie Heaslip: 7
Ran hard all afternoon and battered his way through on numerous occasions. Looked very energetic in defence and strong in the tackle.

Replacements: 6
Eoin Reddan raised the tempo after he was introduced and Donnacha Ryan also had an impact. Ian Madigan created plenty of space and a few chances with the ball in hand, and set up Payne’s try. Sean Cronin was strong too and burrowed over for a try late on. Cian Healy should have got on the score sheet with the last play of the game but he will be happy just to get some game time under his belt.

By Nathan Hyde (@NathanHyde2)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images