How Ireland’s players rated in defeat to England

Not a great pass from Gibson-Park led to a knock on and most of the opening half was back-foot stuff. Marvellous take of a box kick which ultimately resulted in Lowe’s score.

Calvin Nash N/A

Rushed up to take out Freeman but was smashed and left prone in the prelude of Lawrence’s try. That was him straight off for a HIA with just four minutes gone bringing Ciaran Frawley on.

Robbie Henshaw 7

With Van der Flier kept Furbank off the ground for a turnover and supplied an important hit on Feyi-Waboso as well. He kept tackling to the end but couldn’t prevent the final act.

Bundee Aki 8

Typically powerful with ball in hand. Was scythed down by Underhill and Chessum and though there were penalties he then won a big jackal on Chessum. Couldn’t stop Earl close in. Massive effort.

James Lowe 7

His clearance kick under pressure ultimately resulted in Lawrence’s score but another one had Furbank in trouble on the touchline. Stunning try though and then again in the second half smashing Smith.

Jack Crowley 7

The sight of Lawrence galloping down his channel wasn’t great viewing, but a useful long range penalty helped make Ireland believe again. Settled into the front foot stuff and lovely pass in the move for Lowe’s try.

Jamison Gibson-Park 7

Lost the ball near his line as well. Out on the wing when Frawley went for an HIA. Itoje’s arm prevented a score for Keenan but did really well on the wing and wondrous assist for Lowe’s second.

Andrew Porter 6

A neat turn and twist on Cole with O’Mahony also doing his thing. Hesitated over a Ford dink though he may have got a call from a teammate. Big tackle count for his time on the park.

Dan Sheehan 7

Not an awful lot with the ball but pulled off a try saving tackle on Earl from an England lineout move at a pivotal moment. Missed Earl for a big line break and a great wrap of Chessum.

Tadhg Furlong 6

He made a useful early carry using some trademark neat footwork and was then pinged perhaps unluckily at a scrum. A lot of tackling and for Lowe’s try there were nice soft hands as well.

Joe McCarthy 6

More would have been hoped for in that opening 40 other than tackling but then that exemplified Ireland’s effort at that point. Very few of his familiar surges were seen at Twickenham.

Tadhg Beirne 6

Put in an important hit on Mitchell and secured a lineout turnover. Then there was superb rip on his own line too, just what you would expect of him. Appeared to concede the last penalty.

Peter O'Mahony 5

Seemed to let a lineout slip through his hands just when Ireland needed control. Just after he’d dragged Earl to the deck, there was the scragging of Mitchell and a yellow card and didn’t return.

Josh van der Flier 8

Nice burst through the ruck at the start and a vital jackal early doors. He consistently wreaked destruction at the breakdown and looked in tremendous form but then made way for Conan while O’Mahony was binned.

Caelan Doris 6

Penalised for offside at a ruck as England turned up the heat. A few missed tackles but then did have to make so many. Got in the way of a dangerous Care chip.

REPLACEMENTS 7

Ciarán Frawley was on early for Nash and was fortunate that Lawrence had a score scrubbed out, he also went for an HIA bringing Conor Murray on thanks to the 6-2 split. Rónan Kelleher, Iain Henderson and Jack Conan made an impact.