Rugby Union

Wales Vs Ireland Player Ratings As Irish Hold On To Beat Much Improved Wales In Cardiff

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James Chittick
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James Chittick Sports Editor

James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before ing Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.

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Sports Editor

Published26 Feb 2025

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Here are our Wales Vs Ireland player ratings as Ireland overcame a resurgent Welsh side in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Wales Vs Ireland Player Ratings

Wales:

15 – Blair Murray: 7

Assured and dangerous on the counter from fullback, the Kiwi-born lad had a very good afternoon in Cardiff.

14 – Tom Rogers: 7

Another good display and a fabulous, acrobatic finish for his try. A properly good try-scoring winger.

13 – Max Llewellyn: 7

Proved fans and pundits right who have been calling out for his inclusion. Adds so much more to the 13 shirt than anybody else Wales have picked recently.

12 – Ben Thomas: 6

Back in his preferred 12 shirt after being shoe-horned in at ten for the opening rounds. Looked far more comfortable and played a lot better.

11 – Ellis Mee: 8

A superb debut and there’s clearly a player with the potential to become a high-level test operator. Very unlucky not to grab a try as well.

10 – Gareth Anscombe: 7

A fly-half picked at fly-half and wow what a difference. The experience he added was clear from the opening minute and he steadied the ship brilliantly.

9 – Tomos Williams: 7

A far better performance than he’s had so far this tournament. Looked sharp and zippy around the field and really stood up against high-quality opposition.

8 – Taulupe Faletau: 8

He’s always been a big game player, and the veteran stepped up once again. Proved to many he’s still got it and was heroic in attack and defence.

7 – Tommy Reffell: 7

Played just under an hour before being taken off for Aaron Wainwright having run himself into the ground. A great effort from the Leicester Tigers man.

6 – Jac Morgan (c): 8

Another stellar display from undoubtedly Wales’ best player at the moment. Huge in defence and carried hard, getting his reward with a very well-deserved try.

5 – Dafydd Jenkins: 6

A big 80-minute performance and was grafting non-stop on both sides of the ball.

4 – Will Rowlands: 7

Bags of effort and endeavour throughout, and kept the Welsh lineout functioning better than it has done.

3 – WillGriff John: 8

Took Andrew Porter to the cleaners at scrum time and was excellent before being replaced in the 53rd minute.

2 – Elliot Dee: 7

Back in the squad and putting in one hell of a shift. Lasting 74 minutes as a hooker deserves a very solid rating.

1 – Nicky Smith: 7

Smith was excellent and was a part of the Welsh scrum which outperformed Ireland. A really good performance.

Replacements: 7

The Welsh bench put in a big shift then they came on, with Aaron Wainwright and Jarrod Evans having particularly strong cameos.

Ireland:

15 – Jamie Osborne: 7

Was put under a lot of pressure especially in the first half. Did well and scored a well-taken try.

14 – Mack Hansen: 5

Had a few moments but didn’t really get involved in too much. Could struggle to keep his place with Calvin Nash in good form.

13 – Gary Ringrose: 3

Sent off for a high shot before half time and likely to be banned for the rest of the tournament. He will obviously be very disappointed.

12 – Robbie Henshaw: 7

Un-flashy but reliable. Smashed anything that ran down his channel and got Ireland over the gain line with his carries.

11 – James Lowe: 7

Superb aerial assist for Jamie Osborne’s try. Not as big an impact as he’s had in other games though.

10 – Sam Prendergast: 7

Far from the finished article and still some question marks around his defence. However, kicking game was excellent and he kept Wales pinned in their half.

9 – Jamison Gibson-Park: 9

Would be the best scrum-half in the world were it not for Antoine Dupont. Another fabulous display from him.

1 – Andrew Porter: 5

WillGriff John had his number in the scrum and it showed. Excellent in the loose but at set-piece he has to do better.

2 – Dan Sheehan: 7

A good display all around and hit his darts in the lineout well. Took the captaincy with Doris injured and led the team to victory despite some adversity.

3 – Thomas Clarkson: 4

Dished up at scrum time and cost Ireland a few penalties along with his front row colleagues. A tough first test start from the young man.

4 – Joe McCarthy: 6

Had good moments but not much beyond that. Clearly a great player in there but yet to show it regularly for Ireland.

5 – Tadhg Beirne: 8

Big shift from the big man, ferocious on both sides of the ball and put his body on the line.

6 – Peter O’Mahony: 6

Had less of an impact compared to the Scotland game but still put himself about and grafted as always.

7 – Josh van der Flier: 7

Really tested by Wales at the breakdown but did well. A proper battle with Reffell and Morgan, but he gave as good as he got.

8 – Jack Conan: 7

Very powerful carry for his try and would start every week for any other side. Didn’t have that much impact afterwards though.

Replacements: 8

Bundee Aki deserves a 10 for his impact, and was immense when he came on following Ringrose’s 20-minute red card.

Finlay Bealham sured up the scrum and Ryan Baird carried well. A good showing from the Irish bench.

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Author photo
James Chittick
Sports Editor

James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before ing Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.

Get to know James Chittick better
Author photo
James Chittick Sports Editor

James is an experienced writer covering a wide range of sports, including Premier League and European football, Rugby Union, WWE and the NFL. Having studied English & Creative Writing at Plymouth University, James completed a master's degree in Digital & Social Media Marketing before pursuing a career in Journalism. He then graduated from News Associates in Manchester after finishing their NCTJ Postgraduate Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism. Since then, James spent time writing for GameRant before ing Reach PLC, where he featured regularly in publications such as the Daily Mirror, Football.LDN, Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo, as well as dozens of local titles. Now at SportsCasting, James provides expert analysis and detailed research features, as well as covering breaking news stories.

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