15.Simon Zebo: 7
Looked eager to engineer some space and stretch his legs with his fast footwork but was shackled by a well-organised Italian defence throughout. Claimed everything in the air with confidence and reminded Joe Schmidt that he is a reliable back up for Rob Kearney.
14. Tommy Bowe: 7.5
Looked sharp and strong with the ball in hand. A commanding figure under the high ball and easily Ireland’s most effective kick chaser. Should start against France.
13. Keith Earls: 7
Was given a lot less room to run this week after enjoying acres of space against Canada and Romania but looked lively and made a few half breaks by cutting some clever lines. Some superb support play earned him an eighth World Cup try.
12. Robbie Henshaw: 8
Bolstered the Irish midfield after missing out on the first two games with a hamstring strain. Looked typically solid in defence, topped the tackle count with 12 and ran hard all afternoon. Showed great strength and skill to set up Earls’ try.
11. Dave Kearney: 5
Left out in the cold for most of the match and saw very little ball. Is likely to start on the bench against France if Jared Payne returns to the midfield and Keith Earls reclaims his spot on the wing.
10. Jonny Sexton: 6
11 points from his ever-reliable boot ultimately proved to be the difference between the teams. Played with his usual passion and showed moments of class but lacked consistency and struggled to set his misfiring backline in motion.
9. Conor Murray: 4
It was a disappointing and disjointed display from the man who is usually Ireland’s attacking linchpin. Stuttered around the fringes and fumbled a few times. Unable to inject any real pace into his side’s advances and was outplayed by his opposite man.
1. Jack McGrath: 6
McGrath was integral to a strong Irish scrum and he put himself about in the loose; however, he is likely to lose his starting spot to Cian Healy against France.
2. Rory Best: 8
The match was an attritional affair which certainly suited the talents of Best, who thrived in the close quarter contest, competed fiercely for almost everything on the floor and reminded everyone that he is still one of the best choke-tacklers around. Carried with energy and intent all afternoon and made plenty of ground. Threw well at the lineout too.
3. Mike Ross: 6
Scrummaged well against a powerful Italian pack that piled on the pressure but did very little in the loose – he made just three tackles and one carry.
4. Iain Henderson: 8.5
Another outstanding effort from the Ulsterman. He looked athletic and explosive with ball in hand and confronted the Italian pack with immense physicality and nous. Deservedly awarded MOTM.
5. Paul O’Connell: 7
Lead the lineout and was effective in the loose with some dynamic carries, but found himself on the wrong side of the referee for the second time in the tournament and conceded a few penalties which enabled Tommaso Allan to keep Italy in the game.
6. Peter O’Mahony: 7
Tormented the Italian lineout and his steal in the first half lead to Keith Earls’ try. Made a try saving tackle on Josh Furno and carried really well but was recklessly sin binned late on which could have proved costly.
7. Sean O’Brien: 7.5
Looked athletic in the loose and back to his abrasive best with the ball in hand. The Tullow tank his side’s best ball carrier and his frequent forays often got Ireland onto the front foot.
8. Jamie Heaslip: 6
Put in another solid shift but was overshadowed by the class of Sergio Parisse. He worked hard in defence but rarely made much of an impact with the ball in hand. Won a vital turnover right at the end though.
Replacements: 6
Devin Toner injected a bit of energy into a tiring Irish outfit after being introduced but did not do enough to reclaim his starting spot from Henderson. Cian Healy was solid in the scrum and his dynamism should give him the edge over McGrath against France. Sean Cronin had a positive impact and imposed himself on the breakdown, while Luke Fitzgerald was kept quiet after coming on.
By Nathan Hyde (@NathanHyde2)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images