How they rated

LEIGH HALFPENNY 6

Sunshine and showers. Smashed by Chris Farrell early on and left in no-man’s land by the speed and accuracy of Sexton’s pass for Stockdale’s first try. Also beaten by Earls’s quick feet in run up to third touchdown and dropped pass from Biggar. Positives included goal-kicking and scything tackle on Conor Murray. Never let head drop.

LIAM WILLIAMS 5

First game back for Wales after injury and it looked it in the opening half when Williams couldn’t get into the game. Did superbly to take one restart and featured in move that led to Shingler scoring. But he is usually livelier.

SCOTT WILLIAMS 6

Poor pass coughed up the position from where Ireland scored their first try, but later knocked Kearney into next week with immense tackle. Tried hard to rip possession from Ireland, and nice involvement for Steff Evans’s try.

HADLEIGH PARKES 6

You really wouldn’t have wanted to be a Wales back on a day when they were forced to dine off crumbs for long periods. But Parkes defended resolutely and threw out a wonderful pass in the run-up to Shingler’s try.

STEFF EVANS 7

There was next to no ball for Evans to work with in attack but he made the most of what came his way, posing problems with his ability to elude defenders. A key run saw him break down the left before play swept across field for Shingler’s try. Came more into game and justified his selection.

DAN BIGGAR 5

Couldn’t ignite backs but had little ball to use. Started with a pinpoint high kick that forced a penalty out of Earls and then outjumped Rob Kearney, forcing a penalty that Halfpenny slotted. Lost focus when taking high ball ahead of Ireland scoring third try, but finished on a high — literally — with the jump and catch that helped set up Shingler’s score.

GARETH DAVIES 7

Turnover gave Wales some breathing space in the opening quarter and followed it up with lovely step and mazy run for try. Great box-kick helped create second Welsh touchdown and did excellently to clear lines at scrum 10 metres out.

ROB EVANS 5

Conceded penalty that gave Sexton a shot at goal in first few minutes and didn’t exert pressure on Irish rookie Andrew Porter at scrum. He tackled solidly enough, but he has had better games.

KEN OWENS 4

Sang anthem with gusto but couldn’t influence matters as he usually does when game started. Strangely subdued aside from good throwing to line-outs. Subbed on 55 minutes.

SAMSON LEE 4

A barricade in defence, but hard to detect in other areas. In fact, it’s difficult to remember Lee getting his hands on the ball once. No obvious superiority in scrums, either. There needs to be more. Replaced with 25 minutes to play.

CORY HILL 5

Another who grafted without the ball but struggled to get his hands on possession at any point. He played excellently in the first two rounds of the tournament, prominent with ball in hand, but he couldn’t make a similar impact here.

ALUN WYN JONES (CAPT) 6

Secured Wales a key line-out turnover with superb technique to deny Peter O’Mahony and as solid as an oak tree in defence. Tried hard to clatter Ireland at rucks and mauls, but the Welsh pack were a long way second best.

ROSS MORIARTY 5

Got stuck into Sexton during busy start that saw him to the fore in defence. Careless ball spillage cost momentum midway through second half. No major influence going forward or at breakdown and could come under pressure if Faletau is fit for the next round of games.

JOSH NAVIDI 7

The dreadlocked destroyer thwarted Irish attacks with punishing tackles and banked two try assists with nice passes. Wales were a long way second best at the breakdown, but Navidi kept battling and finished with an impressive 20 tackles.

IRELAND: Kearney, Earls, Farrell, Aki, Stockdale, Sexton Murray, Healy, Best, Porter, J. Ryan, Toner, O’Mahony, Leavy Stander.

REPLACEMENTS: S. Cronin, J. McGrath, J. Ryan, Roux, Conan Marmion, Carbery, McFadden.

WALES: Halfpenny, L. Williams, S. Williams, Parkes, S. Evans Biggar, G. Davies, R. Evans, Owens, Lee, Hill, A. Jones Shingler, Navidi, Moriarty.

REPLACEMENTS: Dee, W. Jones, Francis, B. Davies, Tipuric A. Davies, Anscombe, North.

REFEREE: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)