Ireland player ratings vs Wales: 2026 Six Nations

Friday, 06 March 2026 at 22:01

byTom Sansom

Ireland player ratings vs Wales as Andy Farrell's men kept their Six Nations title hopes alive with a win against Wales.

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Ireland kept their slim Six Nations title hopes alive with a bonus-point win over Wales in Dublin, but they were made to work hard for it.

After dismantling England a fortnight ago, Andy Farrell’s side were expected to deliver another statement. Instead, a physical and determined Wales outfit — chasing a first championship win since 2023 — disrupted Ireland’s rhythm and kept the contest tight throughout.

Ireland crossed through Jacob Stockdale and Jack Crowley in the first half, but Wales struck back when prop Rhys Carre powered over for a superb solo try, cutting the deficit to two points at the break.

Jack Conan extended Ireland’s lead early in the second half, though Wales refused to fade. James Botham’s try reignited Welsh hopes and briefly threatened a shock result.

Ultimately, Ireland’s pressure told. Jamie Osborne crossed late to seal the bonus point and secure the five points Ireland needed, while Wales were left to reflect on a 15th consecutive Six Nations defeat.

Scroll down for Ireland player ratings vs Wales.

IRELAND 27

Tries: Stockdale (6'), Crowley (37'), Conan (44'), Osborne (68')
Cons: Crowley (7', 45')
Pens: Crowley (76')

WALES 17

Tries: Carre (40'), Botham (63')
Cons: D Edwards (40', 64')
Pens: D Edwards (17')

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Ireland player ratings vs Wales

By Tom Sansom at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin

15. Jamie Osborne — 7

The Leinster man continues his run at fullback, though he lost his opening mid-air battle under the lights. He was not given the yards he enjoyed against England, with Wales quick off the line, and was turned over after 19 minutes.

He did well to hold Louis Rees-Zammit in a 21st-minute clash with the opposite man. Sent a nice offload out the back to Rob Baloucoune for a first-half highlight. He then supported Jacob Stockdale to breeze home for a second-half score.

14. Rob Baloucoune — 6.5

The man known around Ulster circles as “The Cat” once again started out on the wing. He lit up the pitch with a dangerous first touch after four minutes and some exciting carries along the touchline.

However, a poor misread on Rhys Carre allowed the Wales prop to break free for his first-half try. An electric carry early in the second half pinned Wales on their line as Jack Conan bagged his try.

A mixed bag from the winger, a step away from his recent breathtaking best.

13. Garry Ringrose — 6 (OFF 69)

There was plenty of speculation this week about Garry Ringrose’s spot in the XV, with Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw back in camp. He spilled a pass backwards after 27 minutes as Wales were quick to swarm the centre.

Ringrose was well met at the gain line with some heavy hits, though the Leinster man provided steady go-forward for the men in green. He was absolutely nailed by Eddie James after 53 minutes in a brutal collision.

He tried to return the favour three minutes later but knocked the ball forward in the tackle.

12. Stuart McCloskey — 6.5

The in-form Ulster midfielder retained his starting spot and received a strong ovation when his name was read out at the Aviva. He bagged an assist after just five minutes, sending Jacob Stockdale through at pace.

He went against his recent form with a wayward miss-pass after 14 minutes before holding the ball up to deny Rhys Carre a 23rd-minute try.

Not his headline-making best, but pivotal for Ireland nonetheless.

11. Jacob Stockdale — 7.5 (OFF 69)

Back in the mix after two weeks out, he exploded onto the ball to mark his return with the opening try after just five minutes. He did well to gather a 28th-minute high ball after a slight juggle.

A live wire in attack, Stockdale ran Ireland out of trouble after 55 minutes. He found Jamie Osborne with a nice over-the-top offload to assist the second-half score that gave Ireland a foothold.

10. Jack Crowley — 6.5

Retained in the number-10 jersey following two standout performances against Italy and England. A strong opening touch-finder handed Ireland territory, and he made no mistake with the opening conversion.

He was offside after 15 minutes as Wales bagged their first points of the match.

Crowley made amends with a clever dummy to skip free for a 37th-minute try, though he sliced the extras. He shook off a heavy shot from Alex Mann early in the second half, but his missed conversions will be an asterisk on the performance.

9. Jamison Gibson-Park — 5.5

Out to back up a phenomenal performance against England, he ran out for his 50th Ireland cap. He sent a wayward pass behind Jack Conan on the wing as the ball flew into touch and took an early exit for a blood replacement after 23 minutes.

He later threw a loose intercept pass on the Welsh try line, handing the opponents a lifeline to clear danger.

A step away from his best, as Wales ran a tight defensive ship that Gibson-Park struggled to exploit. He was halted at close range in the corner in the lead-up to Osborne’s try.

1. Tom O’Toole — 6 (OFF 63)

The versatile Ulster prop continues his international shift from tighthead to loosehead. O’Toole began his night with some solid chop tackles before winning a third-minute scrum penalty.

However, he then knocked the ball on to cancel out Jack Conan’s try before the scrum turned against Ireland, with Wales awarded penalties at the set piece.

Scrum-time fortunes briefly improved early in the second half with a penalty won by O’Toole, who also shipped some nice passes during his shift.

2. Rónan Kelleher — 5.5 (OFF 63)

Promoted from the bench for the first time in the Championship, as Ireland made a strong start at both the lineout and the scrum. A great throw found Conan after 17 minutes, though Kelleher’s form dipped afterwards.

He was penalised for not hooking the ball, with some teething issues alongside new scrum-half Nathan Doak. He was bundled into touch by Dafydd Jenkins and the lineout faltered midway through the first half.

He came out firing in the second half with some carries but struggled at the scrum.

3. Tadhg Furlong — 5 (OFF 59)

In the starting XV for the first time in the 2026 Six Nations, forming a new partnership with O’Toole. Ireland started strongly at the scrum, with Furlong also digging in for the hard yards in the loose.

However, his form dipped as the Irish scrum struggled, and he could not catch breakaway prop Rhys Carre for Wales’ try on the stroke of half-time.

Furlong then popped straight up at a 56th-minute scrum, with his frustration sparking a brawl with Wales replacement prop Nicky Smith. Déjà vu followed at the hour mark before he was withdrawn.

4. James Ryan — 5 (OFF 59)

Ryan retained his place in the second row and was an immediate threat at the lineout. He disrupted at the ruck after 20 minutes as Wales won a turnover.

He was penalised for a no-arms tackle, narrowly avoiding a yellow card. Solid in the carry, but some defensive errors clouded his overall performance.

He was also penalised in the second half for a needless tackle on a player without the ball on a tough day for the lock.

5. Tadhg Beirne — 7.5

Shuffled back into the engine room after such an impactful display in the back row against England. He almost wrestled his way over the try line after the half-hour mark but was denied just short by the Welsh defence.

A constant option in the carry, Beirne was sometimes double-tackled and driven backwards but remained a threat with ball in hand. He produced a strong maul turnover after 51 minutes to halt Welsh momentum.

Ireland needed Beirne today, and he delivered in spades.

6. Jack Conan — 8

A rare positional shift for the regular number eight. He thought he had scored from close range, but the effort was ruled out for Tom O’Toole’s knock-on.

He was well over the ball to win a turnover after 26 minutes and halt a stirring Welsh attack. Conan was solid and reliable against a rejuvenated Welsh pack and fought his way over the line for a well-deserved 44th-minute try.

A tremendous shift from the workhorse.

7. Nick Timoney — 6.5 (OFF 59)

Plenty to celebrate back in Belfast as the in-form Ulster back-rower earned his first Ireland start. He put in some thunderous hits, with Aaron Wainwright upended at pace.

He ground out the hard yards across the gain line and was sturdy in the tackle before being withdrawn at the hour mark for Josh van der Flier.

8. Caelan Doris — 6.5 (c)

A slow first half for the captain, who was beaten at the breakdown alongside James Ryan as Wales drove downfield after 20 minutes. Doris then went straight off his feet at the following breakdown a minute later as Wales enjoyed penalty advantage.

He was a strong option to dent the Welsh defence and was tireless in defence. Not his finest hour, but the captain calmed the nerves and answered the call.

Replacements

16. Tom Stewart — 6 (ON 63)

A first run-out in the Six Nations for the hooker, who was tasked with helping turn around Ireland’s struggling scrum.

17. Michael Milne — 6 (ON 63)

Back in the squad having last featured against France, Milne was required to lift the tempo up front.

18. Thomas Clarkson — 6 (ON 59)

The Leinster tighthead started on the bench after provincial teammate Furlong returned to the starting XV. Clarkson replaced Furlong after a difficult shift for the veteran and was immediately involved with some neat carries.

19. Joe McCarthy — 6.5 (ON 59)

Dropped to the bench to make way for Tadhg Beirne in the engine room. His first involvement was unusual as the lock produced a perfect grubber kick into the Welsh backfield.

20. Josh van der Flier — 6.5 (ON 59)

The red-capped back-rower was dropped to the bench this week and was called upon to improve Ireland’s faltering defensive effort in the closing 20 minutes.

21. Nathan Doak — 6.5 (ON 23, OFF 38)

Plenty of excitement around the Ulster scrum-half, who made his debut from the bench. He was introduced after just 23 minutes to replace Gibson-Park following a blood injury.

His first scrum was fed to the second row as Wales won a penalty turnover.

22. Tom Farrell — 5 (ON 69)

The Munster centre earned his first opportunity in the Championship, with his strong provincial form rewarded in green.

23. Ciaran Frawley — 7 (ON 69)

The soon-to-be Connacht signing was preferred on the bench ahead of his Leinster teammate Sam Prendergast, with Harry Byrne sidelined through concussion. He provided some exciting attacking moments.