Ireland v Japan player ratings: Lineout woes continue but bench impresses in Dublin

Try as he might Jack Crowley could not ignite those around him as the Irish attack once again spluttered.

Tommy O'Brien celebrates the final try. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Ireland 

15 Jamie Osborne Worrying departure clutching left arm. Osborne did not manage to really get into the game before he left the field in the 65th minute but any absence would be keenly felt as he offers so much. 6.5 

14 Tommy O’Brien Honest, willing and troublesome, getting his reward with a late, galloping try. O’Brien was an aggressive runner at all times but did not receive enough ball to really make a difference on the wide flank even though he made commendable efforts to get involved. 8 

13 Tom Farrell Muted but did nothing wrong. The ‘Roy of the Rovers’ tag doesn’t do justice to the sweat, pain and heartache endured by the 32 year old and Farrell’s key objective was to show that he deserved test match consideration each and every week. Solid if unspectacular. 6

Tom Farrell was solid if unspectacular. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

12 Robbie Henshaw Reliable in defence although part of a mis-firing attack. Henshaw did all that he could to strike up a partnership with Farrell alongside but the flow of ball was patchy. 6 

11 Jacob Stockdale Eager, perhaps too eager, as shown when fumbling first follow-up chase. Stockdale was busy but got caught in a Ryan Baird-type incident when yellow-carded for an off-balance tackle on Kippei Ishida and was sent to the bin. 6.5 

10 Jack Crowley Beavered away. Try as he might the out-half could not ignite those around him as the Irish attack once again spluttered. Kicking was ok and Crowley was in the right place at the right time to sweep round to take his captain’s try-scoring pass. 6 

9 Craig Casey Bounced around but was never able to rely on good possession. The Munster link with his out-half could not deliver the flow that Ireland were seeking. 6 

1 Andrew Porter Purposeful as ever. Good scrum performance as expected but it still needed to be put in place on the field of play and the experienced Porter led from the front. 6.5 

2 Ronan Kelleher A Bermuda Triangle of a lineout with so much ball going missing. Shaky, messy and worrying for Kelleher. The lineout woes of Chicago were on everyone’s mind and the first-half did nothing to allay anxieties. Kelleher never really got to grips with it. 4

Ireland's Ronan Kelleher, left, was shaky and messy, never getting to grips with play. Pic: Gary Carr/Inpho

3 Tom Clarkson Busy bee round the field and made the crucial dent that led to the first try by Jack Crowley, Clarkson’s all-round involvement served his team well. 6.5 

4 James Ryan Engine room stoker putting in a shift although that Irish pack will not enjoy the Monday review as they watch Japan’s maul-driven lineout try in the first half. That’s a blob in the copybook. 6 

5 Tadhg Beirne In the game, and that’s a big plus after the botched red-card nonsense at Soldier Field. Beirne put himself about as ever, on the ball and hitting rucks. 6.5 

6 Ryan Baird On the money in Chicago and again in the midst of all the action, never flagging and trying to haul those around him into the action. 6.5

Ryan Baird was in the midst of all the action in the Aviva. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

7 Nick Timoney Acquitted himself well, capping a decent all-round performance with a zippy try in the first half, reacting sharply while others dithered to show a fierce turn of speed to the line. Tackled well. 7 

8 Caelan Doris (capt) In the thick of it. First cab on the starting rank since the blasted shoulder injury that cost him a Lions place, Doris was hell-bent on making up for lost time. More to come yet. 7 

Replacements 

Up to the task and helped give Ireland a flattering margin on the scoreboard. The bench really did have to do its stuff to make an impact on what had been a flat, disjointed match. 

They did just that and will give Andy Farrell plenty to ponder for the tougher tasks to come against Australia and South Africa. Cian Prendergast led the charge with three immediate crucial bits of work after coming on for James Ryan in the 52nd minute. He put in a big performance. 

Jack Conan appeared at the same time to help add to the energy levels. Sam Prendergast was the third of that replacement trio and he too looked to mix up the game and get the wings involved. 

All those names are in the hat while a double whammy try effort from Gus and Paddy McCarthy sent Ireland clear. 8.5