Ireland v Scotland player ratings: Prendergast the best of a good bunch
JOB WELL DONE: Sam Prendergast of Ireland, left, with interim head coach Simon Easterby after the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Ireland. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Caught the eye. And not a bad day to do so with Andy Farrell keeping a keen Lions’ eye on various positions, full-back being strongly contested with Blair Kinghorn. This was a plus day for the Irishman, although he might review how he bit in as van der Merwe scored. 7.5
This was a seize-the-moment opportunity for Nash with Mack Hansen’s Saturday withdrawal and, boy, did he seize it with a try within eight minutes. Handled the occasion well, always looking to make his mark. 7.5
On the money for the most part although he would be relieved not to be yellow-carded for a knock-on after letting Huw Jones escape up-field. There were plenty of dominant carries from the Leinster centre. 7
Bloodied but never bowed. Sloppy start with an early knock-on near the line and a couple of penalties conceded but Aki never faltered and led the charge to help create pressure on the Scotland defence. 7
Busy, busy, busy. Another blue-chip showing from the wing. Lowe followed up last week’s special effort with a typically involved performance, booting long, popping up everywhere, a real menace, using his feet and strength to quell the Scotland revival with his second-half try. 9
Calm, composed and influential through his beautiful distribution. This was just what the coach wanted to see from the young playmaker, trusted to make things happen which we saw early on with his long pass to Nash for the opening score. Nice mixed bag of kicks, albeit with one out on the full, pressing hard in defence too. A mature performance from the youngster. 9.5
Impossible to keep quiet. Two key kicks led to tries for Lowe and Conan. So sharp, so perceptive. He was a defensive general, too, organising and encouraging, bobbing around to direct tacklers. Crucial try-saving tackle on Blair Kinghorn as Scotland briefly roused themselves in the second half. 9
Such a grafter, such a presence in all aspects. Porter does his basics so well at scrum and lineout but proved himself a real nuisance also round the fringes, charging down Scotland attempted clearances. 8.5
Under pressure and a couple of lineout bloopers (not necessarily the hooker’s fault) will not help the cause with Dan Sheehan itching to start. Did his core duties reasonably well. 7
Making the most of his chance. There was little evidence that the tighthead prop was going to settle for the understudy to Tadhg Furlong role, scrummaging hard and visible in the tackle and in the loose. 8
There was plenty on offer from the Leinster lock, getting stuck in and working hard to subdue the opposition up-front. Helped create the platform on which the likes of Prendergast were able to thrive. 7.5
A fine performance, grafting and grappling, never happy unless he was right in the thick of the action, setting an example for others to willingly follow. There was so much to admire in Beirne’s contribution. 8.5
Restored to the line-up not just for his abrasiveness but his rugby IQ, shown early when appearing in the wide channel to cause trouble. Won’t be happy with a line-out fumble at the rear. 7
Not as conspicuous as normal although the Leinster flanker has set the bar very high. There was a question mark for the van der Merwe try as to whether he had drifted across too far. Classy breakdown display. 7.5
Leading from the front, in the referee’s ear to make sure Duhan van der Merwe did his sin-bin porridge and clattering forward at every opportunity, on hand to touch down for his try. Another notch in his belt. 8.5
The did a number on England last weekend and were primed to repeat the trick but such was Ireland’s control that they didn’t need to do that much apart from subdue a brief Scotland rally. Dan Sheehan had an early set-back after coming on at the interval as his first lineout throw was intercepted by the Scottish jumpers and lobbing a long one crooked, too.
He didn’t have quite the impact he wanted, unlike Jack Conan who scored a try within eight minutes of coming on for Peter O’Mahony in the 51st minute, securing a shrewd turnover only moments later. Cian Healy rumbled on yet again to break records for Six Nations appearances. The bench saw out the game quite comfortably as Ireland remain on course towards history. 7.5
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