Ireland player ratings: McCarthy and Sheehan shine in Aviva rout
Joe McCarthy of Ireland celebrates a turnover against Italy
Dan Sheehan of Ireland, centre, celebrates with team-mate Andrew Porter, left, after scoring their side's fourth try
Hugo Keenan - Classy as always from Ireland's full-back who seemed to glide across the pitch with ball in hand. Injury now becomes a huge concern. 8
Calvin Nash - Second try in as many games but, before that late score, had to go looking for work with not much came his way organically. 6
Robbie Henshaw - Pinged at the breakdown in the opening minutes but it was a rare misstep. For the second week in a row, picked both good lines and options. 8
Stuart McCloskey - Typically industrious from the Ulster centre who will have surprised some with his passing. Always offered himself in attack and contributed defensively too. 8
James Lowe - Offered a real physical edge in his performance and now really does look like a complete winger. Rewarded with his side's fifth try too. 8
Jack Crowley - Some lovely touches in the build-up to his own score that sent Ireland on their way and you could tell confidence was coursing through his veins. 7
Craig Casey - Got 72 minutes to press his claim. Better after the break but probably didn't do enough to upset the established pecking order for Wales in a fortnight. 6
Andrew Porter - Drew plenty of focus at the scrum against France following World Cup quarter-final travails but, one early free-kick aside, had the Italians in reverse gear. 7
Dan Sheehan - Applied the finishing touches to two scores, making one look more straightforward than the other. Italians didn't really compete but line-out was flawless too. 8
Finlay Bealham - The Connacht man again was coming into the side in place of Tadhg Furlong and continues to impress at scrum time when deputising for his illustrious colleague. 7
Read more
Joe McCarthy - After his star turn a week ago, McCarthy was again in destructive form with the towering lock providing a near-constant thorn in the Italian side. 8
James Ryan - Restored to the starting line-up, the Leinster lock was busy if a little understated during his hour long stint before making way for Henderson. 6
Ryan Baird - Got up well to disrupt the Italians out of touch and displayed his rare blend of pace and power with one gallop up the field. 7
Caelan Doris - The stand-in skipper had some eye-catching moments, especially close to the gain-line with ball in hand. Still looks more impactful at eight. 7
Jack Conan - Hard man to stop in close quarters and finished well for his side's third try just before half-time. Enjoyed what is becoming a rare start. 8
Replacements: While the game was over by the time they entered, arrival of the bench coincided with a scrappy period and some ill-discipline. 6
Andy Farrell: His Ireland haven't always looked fluid with so many changes but clearly read the room well and picked a team with more than enough to do the job. 7
Join our Six Nations WhatsApp channel
Get the latest Six Nations team news, analysis and insights from the Irish Independent's expert team of rugby writers
