How Ireland rated:  Lowe back to his best, Porter immovable, dependable Keenan

Finlay Bealham did all that he could to put pressure on Tadhg Furlong for the starting tighthead shirt with a dominant display.

HOW IRELAND RATED: Ireland's James Lowe and Italy's Tommaso Menoncello. Pic:INPHO/Ben Brady

15 – Hugo Keenan: So vital to Ireland’s game, ever-dependable at the rear, ever-alert in attack as shown by his tap-and-go that eventually yielded the opening try for Jack Crowley. Lovely lines run, angles cut, shifting defences, a man on top of his game. 9 

14 – Calvin Nash: There was the occasional blooper such as the dead-ball hoof but the errors were offset by Nash’s relish for the contest, looking for work and involvement. His patience and awareness paid off with his late try, aggressive right through the tackle to score. 8 

13 – Robbie Henshaw: There is little more to prove from Henshaw who has always set such high standards no matter what number shirt he is wearing. Once again, he was powerful on the punch through the middle, sharp-eyed with his passing and support. 8 

12 – Stuart McCloskey: This was a rare chance to make a mark for the Ulster centre and there was plenty to admire in his game, both in attack as well as defence. The perfectly-judged flat pass that sent Lowe on his try-scoring way was typical. 8 

11 – James Lowe: There is no such thing as a lull in play for Lowe who always seems to find a way to get involved, either booming the ball downfield with his left boot or arrowing for the try-line as he did when powering through three players for his try. All-consuming. 9 

10 – Jack Crowley: Life must seem grand for Crowley, stepping into the void left by Johnny Sexton’s retirement, performing well here with deft no-look passing and off-loads to show that he was no one-hit wonder. First senior try and bags more to come although a need to improve his place-kicking. 7 

9 – Craig Casey: A decent haul after early nerves showed when slicing on the full and occasionally got scruffed up but kept his nerve to keep the Irish phase play on the move, popping passes and finding his runners. A good enough all-round shift. 7 

1 – Andrew Porter: There is something immovable and immutable about Porter who always looks as if he belongs in the international arena. Once again, the basics were tended to, gaining an important advantage for his side in the scrum which created the platform. 9 

2 – Dan Sheehan: Sheehan is making up for lost World Cup time with the sort of all-action, all-consuming football that makes him one, if not the, best hookers in the world. Accurate at the set-piece, fast on the charge-down and ever-available as shown by his two tries and within inches of a hat-trick. 9 

3 – Finlay Bealham: Bealham did all that he could to put pressure on Tadhg Furlong for the starting tighthead shirt with a dominant display in the scrummage, turning the screw on Italy and winning penalties. An eye-catching performance. 9 

4 – Joe McCarthy: The second follow-up record is always a tough gig but Big Joe managed to hit those heights again with a typically robust display, making the hard yards, making a nuisance of himself in all phases. Here to stay. 8 

5 – James Ryan: Ryan was once the go-to man in the second-row but he has had to bide his time now that McCarthy has come bursting through and he went about his business steadfastly, not over-reaching himself but solid and reliable, a roll-tackle penalty notwithstanding. 7 

6 – Ryan Baird: There were several Ireland players on view who were desperate to impress and force a re-think on starting positions. Baird was one of those and one scene-stealing up-field surge just before the interval showed just what he has to offer. 7 

7 – Caelan Doris (capt): This was a well-deserved honour for Caelan Doris to lead the side for the first time and even if the no.7 shirt is not his preferred one, his leadership was typically unselfish and influential. Always a force. 8 

8 – Jack Conan: The Leinster man made the most of his start, doing the basics well and being on hand to do what was needed at close-quarters, be it defensively in fending off Italian drives or being in the right place to score as he did just before half-time. 8 

Replacements:  A word first for an extra name on the match-day sheet, that of eight year old Stevie Mulrooney (10/10) whose pre-match booming rendition set just the right defiant tone with Ireland going on to keep Italy scoreless, putting England’s pipsqueak win in Rome into perspective. 

The emptying of the bench didn’t disrupt as much as it might have done and gave Andy Farrell much food for future thought. Harry Byrne slotted in well at out-half with Crowley moving to the back-field. The complete front-row change did not affect the lineout one jot with Ronan Kelleher ensuring another perfect return. The scrum, too, was solid. Two players, flanker Jack van der Flier and scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park, lived up to their billing with terrific contributions. 8