Six Nations 2015: Wales vs Ireland Player Ratings

15. Leigh Halfpenny: 9
His unrelenting brilliance in response to Ireland’s early kicking game forced them the change their style of play to one they were much less comfortable with. One diving catch in the corner was reminiscent of a slip fielder in cricket. Excellent from the tee once again, particularly early on which left Ireland chasing the game.

14. George North: 6
The ball just never seemed to come to him, or rather when it did, it came from a forward pass. A quiet afternoon.

13. Jonathan Davies: 8
In a game won by their defence, Davies was Wales’ brightest attacking light. One power-packed hand-off in the first half on Sexton was particularly ruthless.

12. Jamie Roberts: 7.5
Typically physical in the midfield, it was his tackle on Bowe that denied Ireland a certain try in the 55th minute. Took a couple of good high balls, but squandered an obvious early overlap, which was the only blot on his copybook.

11. Liam Williams: 8
Phenomenal under the high ball. Along with Halfpenny, he was one of the key reasons that Ireland abandoned their kicking game so early on. Cut a few nice lines in attack.

10. Dan Biggar: 8
Brilliantly abrasive in defence, as always, and his drop-goal, at such a crucial juncture of the match, was as sweetly struck as any you’re likely to see in your rugby-watching lifetime.

9. Rhys Webb: 7.5
Box-kicking was excellent, and always gave the chasers a chance to compete. Was pinged once at the breakdown for stupidly sealing off, but other than that he was secure.

1. Gethin Jenkins: 7.5
A brilliant penalty won at the breakdown in the first half set up one of Halfpenny’s successful kicks that propelled Wales into their ultimately unassailable lead. Exited at half time.

2. Scott Baldwin: 8
Recovered well with his throwing after the first line-out went awry, and got through 20 tackles in 56 minutes – a monumental work rate for a front rower.

3. Samson Lee: 5
Forced off early with an unlucky injury at scrum time.

4. Luke Charteris: 9
A stunning performance. 37 tackles made, zero missed, and three lineout steals – probably one of the best outings from a lock in recent memory.

5. Alun-Wyn Jones: 8
Overshadowed slightly by engine room partner Charteris, and although he made fewer tackles they were no less important, including one scrag on Rob Kearney that stopped a sure line break.

6. Dan Lydiate: 7
Another week, another fine defensive effort from Lydiate. The difference this time was, most other Welshmen outdid him at his own game!

8. Sam Warburton: 9
On the day he became Wales’ most experienced leader, he put in a performance to match. Beaten only by Charteris in the tackling stakes, he played the role of link-man superbly well, stole crucial line-out ball and bossed the breakdown. The performance of the Championship, even with the yellow card.

8. Taulupe Faletau: 8.5
Was one of the foremost proponents of Wales’ unspeakably quick line-speed at the beginning of either half. Finished as third top tackler with 24.

Replacements: 8
Both Rob Evans and Aaron Jarvis were superb as front row replacements, playing 40 and 68 minutes respectively and always scrummaging legally. And of course, Scott Williams provided the moment that changed the game, gliding through an inviting gap to score Wales’ only try. Everyone else contributed manfully to the defensive effort.

IRELAND

15. Rob Kearney: 7
Always a willing runner when returning Welsh kicks, and while he made more metres than anyone else on the pitch, he wasn’t ever properly able to escape the clutches of the Welsh defence.

14. Tommy Bowe: 5.5
Plenty of industry, carrying the ball 17 times, but wasn’t ever really able to break loose. One of two players responsible for showing Scott Williams a huge gap to get through to the line.

13. Jared Payne: 6.5
For the first time this championship, we saw what he can do with ball in hand, and while he managed to beat five defenders, there was always another one following up to make the tackle.

12. Robbie Henshaw: 6
Similarly industrious with ball in hand, but similarly unable to properly penetrate the Welsh line.

11. Simon Zebo: 5
There were a couple of moments when his wickedly fast feet threatened to hurt Wales, but for the most part it was the same old story – he was well shackled.

10. Johnny Sexton: 4.5
Kicks went out on the full, easy passes were knocked on and he had no answer once his usual kicking game didn’t work. Still a sensational player, but an afternoon he’ll want to forget.

9. Conor Murray: 6
Passed the ball an incredible 108 times in 62 minutes of being on the pitch, but all that really highlights is how much possession Ireland had and how unable they were to truly hurt Wales’ sublime defence.

1. Jack McGrath: 5
Pinged twice for scrum infringements, and replaced early in the second half by Cian Healy. Not nearly as good as against England.

2. Rory Best: 5
Lineout was a shambles in the first half, but most of the time that wasn’t really down to Best’s throwing, but rather Wales putting jumpers up in the right place. Couldn’t influence the breakdown as he usually does.

3. Mike Ross: 6
The scrummaging issues weren’t on his side of the scrum, but equally he failed to ram home any advantage at the set piece.

4. Devin Toner: 5
Outmuscled and outplayed by his Welsh counterparts, and couldn’t assert any authority over either the breakdown or line-out as he did against England.

5. Paul O’Connell: 7.5
O’Connell, as the line-out caller, has to take a fair chunk of the responsibility for their set piece troubles. But his work-rate elsewhere was unparalleled by anyone in green, a couple of barnstorming line breaks especially catching the eye.

6. Peter O’Mahony: 6
Beaten by the Welsh forwards at the breakdown and unable to impose at all with ball in hand. Was Ireland’s top line-out forward, but was also guilty of giving a way a couple of silly penalties.

7. Sean O’Brien: 7
One of Ireland’s better carriers, making 19 for 25 metres of return, but even those figures are a poor return for a man of his size and strength – further proof of how good Wales’ defence was.

8. Jamie Heaslip: 6
Hugely industrious with 19 carries, but got little change from the Welsh defence. Rushed out of the line recklessly and failed to shut Warburton down which opened up a huge gap for Scott Williams to waltz through for his try.

Replacements: 5
Cian Healy had an afternoon to forget, knocking the ball on with a huge overlap outside him when on Wales’ five metre line, then giving away the crucial penalty at the final scrum. Sean Cronin added a huge amount of energy with ball in hand, and Reddan upped the tempo, but other than that Ireland’s replacements had little impact.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images