Ireland 29 Wales 7: Ireland player ratings

Johnny Watterson hands out the marks after Andy Farrell’s side win Six Nations opener

Andrew Porter delivered another fine performance as Ireland dispatched Wales. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho
Andrew Porter delivered another fine performance as Ireland dispatched Wales. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho

Hugo Keenan

As ever, always looking for go forward ball. Sound defensive tackling and lovely one handed release to van der Flier. Rating: 7

Andrew Conway

Always doing the right thing when involved. Got a few early runs and didn't disappoint. Then scored two tries, the first at a stretch. Rating: 9

Garry Ringrose

The Irish outside centre has again realised what a good player he is. Back to the confident ripping offensive runs and great to see it. Rating: 9

Ireland’s Garry Ringrose was back towards his best against Wales. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
Ireland’s Garry Ringrose was back towards his best against Wales. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA

Bundee Aki

Well taken high ball above his head from Hansen for the first try. A constant destructive presence defending and going forward. Rating: 8

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Mack Hansen

Ambitious almost every time on the ball. Has a great cut back and his skip pass to Bundee showed presence of mind on debut. Rating: 8

Johnny Sexton

On a windy day missed a few first half kicks. Otherwise throughout he was hugely influential at almost every touch of the ball. Rating: 8

Jamison Gibson-Park

Got steadily better as the match went on having hit Aki on the shin with an early pass. Good vision for Conway's second try. Rating: 7

Andrew Porter

Porter never stops. No trouble in the scrum although the referee had an early word. Around the pitch was at his bullocking best. Rating: 9

Ronan Kelleher

Didn't get the space he may have wanted but made up for that in tackling around the park and a great turnover on the half hour. Rating: 7

Tadhg Furlong

Sometimes wrecking ball, sometimes play maker in the backline and ball carrier. Another big workload from the Irish prop. Rating: 8

Tadhg Furlong was dominant again agiainst Wales. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Tadhg Furlong was dominant again agiainst Wales. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Tadhg Beirne

Like Ryan was good in the lineouts and his drive in the second half sucked enough players in for Conway's easy stroll in try. Rating: 7

James Ryan

Great work rate in defensive tacking and also some tough carries in traffic. Was also an excellent disrupter in the Wales throw in. Rating: 8

Caelan Doris

Maybe like Conan played a tough hard game with a high work rate. He did all the unglamorous work very effectively. Rating: 7

Josh van der Flier

Looking dangerous punching through carrying ball. Peerless in his work rate, ball-poaching and hunger all over the park. Rating: 8

Jack Conan

A few big carries and as always doesn't shirk a full work load. Maybe not as central as he would have wanted on the day. Rating: 7

Replacements

The match was over when most came on. A few slips allowed Wales in for a try. No real trailblazing to suggest radical changes for next week. Rating: 7

Coach

Andy Farrell lives and dies by results. He put on the team to give Ireland an early lead and they extended that throughout for 29-7. Nine wins in a row. Rating: 9

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson

Johnny Watterson is a sports writer with The Irish Times