Ireland player ratings vs Italy: 2025 Six Nations

Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 16:11

byTom Sansom

Ireland player ratings vs Italy as the visitors kept their 2025 Six Nations title hopes alive with a bonus-point victory in Rome.

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Ireland held off a determined Italy to claim a bonus-point victory in Rome, keeping their hopes of a third consecutive Six Nations title alive.

Hugo Keenan’s first-half try and a hat-trick from Dan Sheehan powered Ireland to a crucial win, taking them to 19 points—three clear of France and four ahead of England.

Italy showed flashes of brilliance, with Monty Ioane and Stephen Varney crossing for tries, but costly discipline issues proved their downfall. Michele Lamaro saw yellow just before halftime, while Ross Vintcent’s second-half red card for a high tackle on Keenan left Italy with an uphill battle.

Despite Varney’s try cutting the deficit to 22-17, Ireland held firm under late pressure to deny the hosts a famous upset.

Scroll down for the Ireland player ratings vs Italy.

Italy: 17

Tries: Monty Ioane (11'), Stephen Varney (62')
Pens: Tommaso Allan (32')
Cons: Tommaso Allan (12', 64')

Ireland: 22

Tries: Hugo Keenan (23'), Dan Sheehan (39', 46', 57')
Pens:
Cons: Jack Crowley (23')

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Ireland player ratings vs Italy:

15. Hugo Keenan 8

Strong under the high ball, as Keenan dictated Ireland's back-field. Tracked back well to deny Italy an early try. Scored Ireland's opener, off the back of Crowley's assist. Took a heavy head-to-head clash, as Ross Vintcent was sent to the bin. Denied a second try by the TMO.

14. Mack Hansen 6

Missed a tackle in the build-up to Italy's first try, as Menoncello battled through the defensive line. Provided a great mid-air assist to Dan Sheehan, as the hooker grabbed his hat-trick. Beaten by the bounce of the ball, as Stephen Varney scored in the second half.

13. Garry Ringrose 7

Some entertaining carries in the first half, as the Leinster man was playing for his place in the Lions squad. Kept Ireland on the front foot at the heart of the attacking plays.

12. Robbie Henshaw 6.5

Given a rare Ireland start as Bundee Aki took a seat on the bench, Henshaw had it all to prove ahead of the Lions selectors and stepped up for the occasion.

11. James Lowe 8

Good to see the powerhouse return after a back injury ruled him out of the France Test. Some exciting carries along the left wing, yet did not use the boot as much as expected. Couldn't ground the ball at the 46th minute and was denied an assist in the closing moments of the match after powering along the wing.

10. Jack Crowley 7

The entire province of Munster rejoiced as Crowley got the nod to start after Sam Prendergast struggled against France. Provided a nice assist to Hugo Keenan's opening score. Missed a straightforward effort off the tee in an otherwise decent kicking day.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park 7

Solid box kicks from the halfback, as Gibson-Park set a solid foundation. Threw an unforced interception which very nearly led to an early Italy try.

1. Andrew Porter 7.5

Plenty of spotlight on Porter after the prop injured Antoine Dupont last weekend. A textbook effort from the front rower, who impressed across both sides of the ball. Stamped his authority on the scrum, as a real leading name for the Lions' one shirt.

2. Dan Sheehan 10

The top try-scoring front-row forward of the Six Nations, Sheehan entered the match with two tries to his name and bagged Ireland's second score from the back of the maul. Sheehan scored Ireland's third in similar fashion, as the Leinster man shone at the set-piece. Got his hat-trick at the hour mark in a brilliant showing.

3. Finlay Bealham 6.5

Put in a solid clear-out that injured an Italian forward, with Dino Lamb withdrawn at 18 minutes. Scored Ireland's opening try after 20 minutes, yet it was disallowed for double movement.

4. James Ryan 6

Continued to batter his way through the opposition, just as he'd done throughout the competition.

5. Tadhg Beirne 7

Ruled the air at the set-piece, as Ireland tried to dominate the line-out battle. Denied a sure-fire try as he caught a knee to the midriff from Viscetti.

6. Jack Conan 6

With three tries under his belt, Conan was out for more in a rare Ireland start. Battled well as a strong option for front-foot ball.

7. Josh van der Flier 6.5

Relentless on the defensive foot as ever, with van der Flier chopping down the towering Italians like a lumberjack.

8. Caelan Doris 7

An all-round solid showing, as Doris muscled his way over the gain line and put the work in at the set-piece. Voiced his frustrations as Beirne was denied a try in dubious fashion.

Replacements:

16. Gus McCarthy 5

On for the final 10 as hat-trick hero Dan Sheehan departed the pitch. Made sure Ireland nailed their set-piece, as Italy kept the match competitive to the end.

17. Jack Boyle 5.5

On for Andrew Porter, the spotlight was never on Boyle, but the prop led the front row with some fine scrummaging.

18. Tadhg Furlong 6.5

Anchored the second-half scrum with a solid effort. The veteran tighthead lifted the tempo and could well be an experienced older head for Andy Farrell's Lions.

19. Joe McCarthy 6.5

On to control the sky as the second-half line-out leader, McCarthy's strong second-half involvement put to bed the memories of his needless sin-bin against France.

20. Peter O’Mahony 7

Given a tremendous ovation upon his final Ireland Test. The evergreen former Ireland captain was involved with some nice carries and stamped his defensive authority with some solid chop tackles. Got a pop out of the strong Irish contingent whenever he got hands on the ball.

21. Conor Murray 7

Like O'Mahony, Conor Murray received a strong ovation in Rome upon his final Test for Ireland. Kept the attacking tempo high, as Italy held Ireland to a dramatic finish.

22. Sam Prendergast 6

Plenty on the shoulders of the young halfback after being dropped to the bench. Ran the ship as Ireland dispatched Italy in the second half.

23. Bundee Aki 7.5

Exploded off the bench to a roar of applause, with the centre immediately involved with ball in hand. Arguably the nailed-on centre for Andy Farrell's Lions stepped up once again.