BEST:Dan Sheehan (Irish Times – 9/10): “An outstanding performance in all aspects of the game from his lineout throwing – one picked off – to his carrying, beating defenders through footwork or power with equal facility. He capped a superb game with a try.”
WORST: Bundee Aki (Irish Times – 6/10): “He certainly wasn’t helped by a lack of shape in Ireland’s backline, and was often given poor ball to try and work the oracle. A knock-on from a Johnny Sexton pass highlighted the lack of empathy between the two on the day and he was also caught offside.”
BEST:Pierre Schoeman (Rugby Pass – 8.5/10): “Created carnage in the Irish defence as a ball-carrier and matched Tadhg Furlong at scrum time,”
WORST: Stuart Hogg (Rugby Pass – 4.5/10): “Held his nerve to deal with a Jamison Gibson-Park kick behind in the 12th minute. His 7.5/10 first-half performance was in stark contrast to his selfishly butchered 3-on-1 just after halftime. Typical of the game-breaking blunder that has littered his Test career. Frustrating.”