Ireland player ratings vs Scotland: 2026 Six Nations

Saturday, 14 March 2026 at 16:00

byTom Sansom

Ireland player ratings vs Scotland as Andy Farell's men completed the Triple Crown and kept their title hopes alive.

⭐ Save us to your Google Favourites for nonstop RUCK content!

Ireland secured the Triple Crown in the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations with a dominant 43–21 victory over Scotlandat the Aviva Stadium, extending their winning streak in the Celtic clash to 12 matches.

Ireland struck early, scoring after just three minutes when captain Caelan Doris offloaded to Jack Crowley, who set up Jamie Osborne for the opening try. Scotland quickly responded, with Darcy Graham finishing a move sparked by Pierre Schoeman and converted by Finn Russell.

Ireland regained control before halftime with tries from Dan Sheehan and Robert Baloucoune, leading 19–7 at the break. Scotland narrowed the gap after halftime through Russell and Rory Darge, making it 26–21 with 20 minutes remaining.

Ireland’s bench then proved decisive. Tommy O’Brien scored twice after a clever offload from Ciaran Frawley, while Crowley added a penalty to seal a convincing win and the Triple Crown for Andy Farrell’s side.

Scroll down for Ireland player ratings vs Scotland.

IRELAND: 43

Tries: Osborne (2'), Sheehan (10'), Baloucoune (18'), Murray (56'), O'Brien (67', 79')
Cons: Crowley (3', 10', 56', 67', 80')
Pens: Crowley (73')

SCOTLAND: 21

Tries: D Graham (6'), Russell (51'), Darge (60')
Cons: Russell (7', 52', 61')
Pens:

Ireland player ratings vs Scotland

15. JAMIE OSBORNE — 7.5

Off to a blistering start, Osborne exploded under the posts for the opening score after just three minutes. Comfortable and confident in the air, it would take a hot return to form from Hugo Keenan to unseat Osborne at fullback for the Nations Championship this summer.

14. ROB BALOUCOUNE — 6.5 (OFF 65')

Started very well with a stunning solo finish, as the Cat collected Stuart McCloskey's pass to run in Ireland's third try from 35m out. Less brilliant was his 35th-minute knock-on, as the wayward ball was booted downfield and nearly collected by Scottish hands. Baloucoune then knocked the ball on in contact just before the break, planting a couple of asterisks upon his first-half performance.

13. GARRY RINGROSE — 6.5 (OFF 65')

A great start to his game, as he shipped a neat pop pass to McCloskey to then assist Baloucoune out wide. Ringrose was a constant target for the Scottish backs, as the Leinster midfielder was heavily marked, which allowed him to send nice passes to unleash his teammates along the outside. Tried his luck with some grubber kicks, which had varying degrees of success. Not the only man to miss tackles on Darcy Graham by any means, but the Edinburgh wing turned Ringrose inside out at times.

12. STUART MCCLOSKEY — 8

A tough defensive ask to front up to Sione Tuipulotu, yet he rose to the occasion. McCloskey made a tremendous tackle off the line to nullify Finn Russell for a spilled ball at 15 minutes and shipped a beautiful miss pass out to Rob Baloucoune, as his Ulster teammate ran in Ireland's third try.

McCloskey demanded the ball to muscle his side forward and out of danger, with battering-ram carries bouncing beyond the likes of Tuipulotu for dominant breaks through contact. A needless push on Ben White was an early second-half error before he was pinged for being offside at the 50-minute mark.

11. TOMMY O'BRIEN — 7

Flared up into the face of Huw Jones for some push and shove, after Darcy Graham crossed for Scotland's first score. Missed a couple of the high ball catches, which were sent skyward by Gibson-Park, and accidentally sent an awkward bobbling ball into touch on the half hour mark.

Made up for it with quick line-speed to force a forward pass from Huw Jones at 34 minutes. On hand to run in the 68th minute try, for a stunning strike move. Closed out the match with a stunning break to bag his brace in style, with some expert finishing.

10. JACK CROWLEY — 7

Eager to make his mark early with a cutting line in the 1st minute, before knocking the ball on in contact. Shipped the early assist for Osborne's opening score and nailed some accurate touch-finders to pin the Scots on their line.

Landed most of his kicks at the sticks, an area that has been contentious within his otherwise near-complete game. Another top performance, with the fly-half discussion all but ended by his current run of form at 10.

9. JAMISON GIBSON-PARK — 7.5 (OFF 77')

A slow start in defence, as Gibson-Park misread Scotland's attack and was out of position for Darcy Graham's try. However, the scrum-half soon roared into top form, producing an exquisite kick at 15 minutes to clear danger after a series of Scottish attacks. Kicked very well to relieve Ireland from dangerous positions and delivered a searing tempo for the attack. Popped up early in the second half to steal the ball from Finn Russell.

1. TOM O'TOOLE — 7 (OFF 65')

A huge start at the scrum, powering over Zander Fagerson for a 2nd-minute penalty. Got a telling-off for constant chat, as his first penalty ignited his scrummaging confidence.

Went off his feet at a 26th-minute ruck to hand Scotland a penalty and downfield territory, yet he made immediate amends with a brilliant turnover with Ireland pinned on their try line. The Ulster man would give away a scrum penalty just before half-time, though Scotland squandered the quick tap-and-go.

2. DAN SHEEHAN — 8 (OFF 65')

A strong start at the line-out with telepathic reads alongside Joe McCarthy. Sheehan raced across the line for Ireland's second try with quick thinking after the 5m maul drive collapsed.

Unphased as Ireland's scrum started slowly, with Scotland forcing resets through illegal actions. Impressive at 25 minutes to keep a Finn Russell kick infield and restart the Irish attack.

3. TADHG FURLONG — 7.5 (OFF 65')

Given the nod to start in a show of confidence from Andy Farrell following some uncharacteristic scrum-time mishaps after returning from a calf injury. A monstrous first scrum saw Ireland bag a penalty before Furlong pointed to the fans after winning a strong 31st-minute turnover at the ruck. Brilliant to see him getting back towards his best with a stellar afternoon at the Aviva.

4. JOE MCCARTHY — 7.5 (OFF 65')

The Leinster lock has been credited for Ireland's strong line-out throughout the Six Nations and produced another top showing in the air. With James Ryan absent through injury, McCarthy led the line-out effort and put in awesome work to win the ball at 16 minutes to engulf a Scottish throw. Dug in with solid carries as an imposing gain-line threat around the loose — arguably his best performance of the Championship.

5. TADHG BEIRNE — 7 (OFF 50, ON 62')

Quick off his line to chop down Scotland's bulkiest ball carriers, Beirne also worked tirelessly to halt Scotland's maul efforts. The Munster man adapted seamlessly when shifting into the second row and worked well in the air. Produced great work at the ruck to turn the ball over and halt a Scottish attack at 45 minutes. Spent some time on the sidelines for a blood replacement.

6. JACK CONAN — 6.5

The back-row powerhouse shifted from No. 8 to the blindside flank once more, with tireless work from the Leinster man who was constantly spotted at the bottom of breakdowns putting his body on the line.

Quick to pressure Tuipulotu, with the centre making some uncharacteristic handling errors. Brought an end to the half with a clunky knock-on to send the sides to the sheds.

7. JOSH VAN DER FLIER — 7 (OFF 53')

Plenty of work for van der Flier from the outset, with an arduous early shift on the defensive foot. Gutsy, head-down carrying as the flanker dug in for the hard yards.

Applied great pressure on Finn Russell to disrupt the fly-half's rhythm, forcing a first-half pass to ground. Showcased a tremendous engine to race back and gather a ball that had been hoofed downfield by Blair Kinghorn at 35 minutes.

8. CAELAN DORIS — 7

A strong start from the back row, whose offload at the try line found Jack Crowley to then play in Osborne for the opening try. Eager to get his hands on the ball and pick from the base of the breakdown to keep the Scottish defence back-pedalling.

Luke Pearce gave the Ireland skipper a talking-to along with Sione Tuipulotu after too much back-chat from both sides. Strong carrying saw several Scottish defenders sent to the deck. Knocked on an early carry attempt to halt an attack and was briefly under the spotlight for a possible high tackle on Ewan Ashman, though only a penalty was awarded.

REPLACEMENTS

16. RONAN KELLEHER (ON 65') — 6

Tough to take the spotlight from a tremendous Dan Sheehan performance, yet Kelleher emptied the tank for the closing 15 minutes to keep the set-piece sharp and carried well in the loose.

17. MICHAEL MILNE (ON 65') — 6

The Munster prop was back in the fold after his provincial teammate Jeremy Loughman was ruled out. Put in a huge effort from the bench as Ireland ran away with the match.

18. FINLAY BEALHAM (ON 65') — 7

After such a strong return to form from Tadhg Furlong, it was hard for Bealham to take a starring role in the final 15 minutes. However, the Connacht man impressed with his customary corn-rowed carries denting the defence before producing a monstrous turnover on his own try line at 77 minutes.

19. DARRAGH MURRAY (ON 50, OFF 62, ON 65') — 7

A big occasion for the Connacht lock, who made his Six Nations debut following James Ryan's injury. Came on for Tadhg Beirne's blood replacement after 50 minutes and had a huge moment when he powered over for his first Ireland try at 56 minutes before returning to the bench once Beirne re-entered.

20. NICK TIMONEY (ON 53') — 7.5

Back on the bench despite an excellent starting performance against Wales. Entered to a roar of applause and got his hands on the ball immediately with some strong carries in the lead-up to Murray's try as the Scottish dam finally burst. Threw serious weight behind his carries.

21. CRAIG CASEY — 5

Handed the final three minutes.

22. CIARÁN FRAWLEY (ON 65') — 6.5

Tremendous impact from the bench, producing a neat offload to send Tommy O'Brien over for the 68th-minute score.

23. BUNDEE AKI (ON 65') — 6

The powerhouse midfielder made his long-awaited return to the Six Nations to a roar from the Irish crowd. Involved on the front foot and worked hard in defence to close out the match alongside Stuart McCloskey.