NICK CAIN’S PLAYER WATCH...
ENGLAND 1. MAKO VUNIPOLA
Supplied some heavyduty forward traction, especially in the build up to Daly’s first try Rating: 6.5 out of 10
2. DYLAN HARTLEY (C)
The king has no clothes on. Dumped backwards, crucial overthrow, little impact Rating: 4
3. KYLE SINCKLER
Strong on the carry, but two scrum infringements in a row was mind-boggling Rating: 5.5
4. MARO ITOJE
Could not have grafted harder, failsafe at the line-out, and battled in the trenches Rating: 6.5
5. GEORGE KRUIS
Important tackle on Larmour, and line-out drive better, but not yet at his best Rating: 5
6. CHRIS ROBSHAW
No quitter him, but unable to leave a big imprint at the tackle or as a carrier Rating: 5
7. JAMES HASKELL
Met muscle with muscle and had the bit between his teeth to the last minute Rating: 6
8. SAM SIMMONDS
Sound at base, but not his position at Test level – switch him to openside now Rating: 5
9. RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH
Stretched the Irish back three with some astute kicking and service was steady Rating: 5.5
10. OWEN FARRELL
His nous kept England from drowning. Jordan Spieth-like chip for Daly’s first Rating: 7
11. ELLIOT DALY
His strike power gave hope – took tries well, and had Irish defence on the hop Rating: 7
12. BEN TE’O
A couple of signs of his power, but does not look totally sure of the midfield plan Rating: 5
13. JONATHAN JOSEPH
Did nuts and bolts but some of the fizz has gone – got no change out of Ringrose Rating: 5
14. JONNY MAY
Notched another try – but why run at brick walls when he can run round them?Rating: 5.5
15. ANTHONY WATSON
Came unstuck under Sexton’s bomb before being injured and making way for Brown Rating: 4.5
REPLACEMENTS
16. Jamie George – for Hartley 57 - good hands 5.5 17. Joe Marler – for Vunipola 52 - good scrums 5.5 18. Dan Cole – for Sinckler 52 - played part 5 19. Joe Launchbury – for Kruis 70 - late call 20. Don Armand – for Simmonds - good charge 5.5 21. Danny Care – for Wigglesworth 60 - tuned it up 6 22. George Ford – for Joseph 55 - livelier off bench 6 23. Mike Brown – for Watson 32 - punchy 7
IRELAND 1. CIAN HEALY
Not quite the usual bulldozer in the loose, but covered all the loose-head bases Rating: 6.5 out of 10
2. RORY BEST (C)
Slam skipper! Faultless line-out darts (14/14), scrum strong (7/7), good in loose Rating: 7.5
3. TADH FURLONG
Great hands to put Aki through, second top tackler (12), and a big scrum beast Rating: 8.5
4. JAMES RYAN
Getting better with every game in his breakthrough season – athletic and combative Rating: 6.5
5. IAIN HENDERSON
His tackling knocked England back around the ruck, and set-piece work was solid Rating: 6.5
6. PETER O’MAHONY
Always empties the tank, top line-out option – but sin-bin put Irish on back foot Rating: 5.5
7. DAN LEAVY
In the thick of it. Led the Irish tackle offensive and still had time to truck the ball up Rating: 7
8. CJ STANDER
Good support running and power for his try, and huge work rate with 23 carries Rating: 8
9. CONOR MURRAY
The linch-pin. Smart scrum-half tactician who knows what to do and when to do it Rating: 8
10. JOHNNY SEXTON
Fulcrum of this Irish Slam – the Ringrose bomb and Stander try dummy loop was proof Rating: 8.5
11. JACOB STOCKDALE
Seven up in style for the young Irish try ace – a finisher with all the attributes Rating: 8
12. BUNDEE AKI
Great line-break for Stander try, but lucky not binned for shoulder charge on Daly Rating: 6.5
13. GARRY RINGROSE
Fast reactions for his try, and a sinuous runner who England found difficult to pin down Rating: 7
14. KEITH EARLS
Daly had the better of their joust, but great ankle tap on him stalled English rally Rating: 6
15. ROB KEARNEY
Won early aerial duel with Watson for Ringrose try, and class act in attack and defence Rating: 8
REPLACEMENTS
16. Sean Cronin – for Best 65 - combative 5.5 17. Jack McGrath – for Healy 51 - big unit 5 18. Andrew Porter –for Furlong 65 - nuggety 5 19. Devin Toner – for Ryan 66 - shut up shop 5.5 20. Jordi Murphy – for O’Mahony 73 - short stint – 21. for Kieran Earls 74 Marmion - late show 22. Joey Carbery – for Sexton 66 - steady 6 23. Jordan Larmour – for Aki 55 - ran hard 5.5