Player ratings: how Ireland fared in superb win over Scotland

Andy Farrell's side claimed the Triple Crown with a convincing victory at the Aviva Stadium.

Ireland players celebrate with the Triple Crown trophy after a brilliant win over Scotland. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

15 – Jamie Osborne 

Tip-top form throughout the tournament, Osborne was in the right place at the right time again as he ran a lovely line to record his sixth try in 15 tests. Osborne has pressed his claims to be the rightful holder of the no.15 shirt. 8 

14 – Robert Baloucoune 

A star-turn in this championship, the Ulster wing has proved that he too belongs at this level, this time by dint of an ears-pinned-back try, racing in from 35 metres for a classic score. 7 

13 – Garry Ringrose 

Unassuming but involved in all the very necessary defensive moments as Scotland refused to roll over and allow Ireland to stay in the clear. 6 

12 – Stuart McCloskey 

Terrific. Busy and productive - the stuff of which dreams are made on, McCloskey was determined to finish his unexpected shift in the limelight with another clever and uncompromising performance, the highlight being a 25 metre Finn Russellesque pass for Baloucoune’s try. 9

11 – Tommy O’Brien 

Bided his time before twice striking hard. It was an afternoon of gritty work as the wing had to graft for opportunity. O’Brien did not let his concentration drop, sealing the deal with his 68th minute try and then signalling the start of the Dublin party with his second try. 8 

10 – Jack Crowley 

On point, from hand and foot, far more assured with his place-kicking and pin-pointing a penalty to within five metres from where Sheehan touched down. The no.10 shirt is his. 7 

9 – Jamison Gibson-Park 

Sharp and alert. The high-peak of the Twickenham performance has raised the bar for scrum-half play and even though Gibson-Park’s display was not as eye-catching there was still so much to savour. 8 

1 – Tom O’Toole 

Stepped up to the plate again on the unfamiliar loosehead, popping his opposite number in the first scrum for a penalty and prominent throughout in the loose as well to claim turnover ball. 8 

2 – Dan Sheehan 

A stirring showing. There was set-piece control at scrum and lineout and an all-consuming effort round the field, winning turnovers, defending solidly and exploding from a maul for a trademark close-range try. 8 

3 – Tadhg Furlong 

Relishing the battle, loving the physical contact and contest in the tight and round the field, Furlong will have to be dragged kicking and screaming from the fray when his time finally does come. 8 

4 – Joe McCarthy 

Imperious. The muscle man, summoned to replicate the heft and cleverness of the injured James Ryan, McCarthy was certainly on point, claiming the lineouts that led to Ireland’s first two tries. A big presence everywhere. 8 

5 – Tadhg Beirne 

Immense, never faltering, never wavering, Beirne’s blue headguard was prominent throughout, always messing with opposition ball and on hand too in attack for his side. Beirne has been a constant through the tournament, his level rarely dipping. 9 

6 – Jack Conan 

More muted than normal and failed to hold on to a simple pass on the stroke of half-time, Conan dug deep to do all the largely unseen unglamourous close-quarter work. 6 

7 – Josh van der Flier 

Energy personified, showing the benefit of the careful management of his minutes in this championship by Andy Farrell. His link play was up to his usual high standards and one rush-back bit of defence saved the day as Scotland hacked downfield. 7 

8 – Caelan Doris (capt) 

Multi-faceted, be it a slick whipped pass in Ireland’s strike-play for the opening try to tidy-up churning forward in the traffic to keep up the momentum, Doris had to help keep it together as Scotland rallied. 8 

Replacements:

The cavalry arrived en masse with half a dozen coming on to the field in the 65th minute to add a vital late injection of enthusiasm, no-one more so than Bundee Aki, off the naughty step and contributing mightily to O’Brien’s first try. Darragh Murray won his first Six Nations cap after coming on as a blood replacement for Tadhg Beirne in the 51st minute and was quickly into the action when charging on to the ball for the bonus point try, proving a confident intervention. It was a great 11 minute cameo, Murray coming back later to prove his promise. 7