IRELAND kept themselves in contention in the Six Nations race following an unconvincing 22-17 win over Italy.
Dan Sheehan‘s hat-trick of tries headlined a scrappy and error-strewn performance for Simon Easterby‘s men.
They were aided by referee Luke Pearce showing Italian duo Ross Vintcent AND Giacomo Nicotera yellow cards in the second-half.
Both of those sin-bins would be upgraded to 20-minute red cards as Ireland capitalised to see out the game.
While an off-colour performance, there were some stand-outs, with one player getting 9/10 and two awarded 8/10.
Read on to find out how SunSport rated the Ireland players.
HUGO KEENAN 8
SCORED Ireland’s opening try and should have had another in a marvellous performance. Put under pressure by some Italian kicks but showed a safe pair of hands.
MACK HANSEN 8
HANDBALL assist for Dan Sheehan’s third try and some mazy running to make opportunities for Ireland. Will not be happy with his work for Italy’s second try.
GARRY RINGROSE 5
SILLY penalty to give away that gave Italy a first half lead and also caught out in the build-up to their first try. Some big carries.
ROBBIE HENSHAW 6
HAD to chase back early on against Italian speedster Ange Capuozzo but few chances to make inroads himself from inside centre.
JAMES LOWE 6
SHOULD have a viral clip for his tip-toe down the line for a Hugo Keenan try only for the unsighted touch judge to ruin it by saying he stepped out.
JACK CROWLEY 7
MISSED three conversions when those six points would have made it a far easier day for Ireland. Some good kicks from his hand at key moments.
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK 7
GOT Ireland going in the first half with some quick moves and good kicks as he continues to show why he is one of the best in the world at his position.
ANDREW PORTER 7
BIG in the scrum and tackled and carried well. Went off early as Jack Boyle got some much needed international experience.
DAN SHEEHAN 9
THE hooker became the highest scoring forward in Six Nations history with his tenth last week against France. They will need a new category if he keeps going as he bagged another three.
FINLAY BEALHAM 6
CORRECTLY had his try ruled out with one of his few chances to carry the ball. Tackled well before being replaced by Tadhg Furlong early in the second half.
JAMES RYAN 5
HAD two turnovers that could have been avoided but tackled well as he needed to in the first half. Replaced early in the second half by Joe McCarthy.
TADHG BEIRNE 6
TACKLED all day in the second row and was hugely important in the lineout as Ireland got on top. Like Ryan, had some handling errors.
JACK CONAN 7
MADE an impact early on with some big carries but most of his best work was in defence and he was one of the team’s top tacklers.
JOSH van der FLIER 6
THE quietest member of the back row when it came to ball carrying but produced some timely challenges when Ireland were under the cosh in the first half.
CAELAN DORIS 7
CAPTAIN’S performance. When Ireland were under the cosh early on, it was Doris getting the ball in hand and carrying into contact. Had more tackles -16 than anyone else.
REPLACEMENTS:
TADHG FURLONG (for F Bealham 47 mins) 6
JOE McCARTHY (for J Ryan 47 mins) 6
PETER O’MAHONY (for J van der Flier 52 mins) 6
BUNDEE AKI (for R Henshaw 57 mins) 6
SAM PRENDERGAST (for J Crowley 64 mins) 6
JACK BOYLE (for A Porter 64 mins) 7
CONOR MURRAY (for J Gibson-Park 67 mins) 6
GUS McCARTHY (for D Sheehan 72 mins) 6
