JAMISON GIBSON-PARK was the star of the show as Ireland beat England in their Six Nations opener.
The Leinster scrum-half was in talismanic form, scoring one try and dictating proceedings in the 27-22 win.
He was backed up by similarly powerful performances from James Lowe, Andrew Porter, and Tadhg Beirne.
There was profound impact off the bench, with Jack Conan impressing and Dan Sheehan capping his return from injury with a try.
It was a more difficult evening for the likes of Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, and Sam Prendergast.
Check out SunSport’s player ratings below!
HUGO KEENAN 7
ENGLAND rarely targeted him with the high ball knowing he would not make a mistake. Ran some good lines and kept the pressure on the visitors.
MACK HANSEN 6
OFF after four minutes but back ten minutes later and his ability with ball in hand to beat defenders helped Ireland get some momentum.
GARRY RINGROSE 6
MISSED some tackles – including one when Marcus Smith brilliantly spun him – and a few turnovers. But got better as the game went on.
BUNDEE AKI 7
SCORED a great try as his strength took him by three England men when out wide, but England made it hard for him to do the same in central positions.
JAMES LOWE 8
CREATOR of three tries as he showed his class when attacking. Targeted by England early on under the high ball but handed it very well.
SAM PRENDERGAST 6
ENGLAND set out to make his Six Nations debut tough and he was pressured on kicks. But got better and showed his mental strength with a big penalty after two missed conversions.
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK 9
THE new rules give scrum halves more protection at the ruck and Gibson-Park took full advantage to dictate the play.
ANDREW PORTER 8
THE same as he is in every game for Ireland. A freak of nature who can go for 75 minutes and never fade as he scrummaged and tackled brilliantly.
RONAN KELLEHER 7
HAD some big carries and frustrated not to score himself. His lineout throws were flawless as Ireland got on top at the set-piece.
FINLAY BEALHAM 7
IRELAND won the scrum battle with Bealham rock solid at tighthead. Some good moments at the breakdown too as he helped Ireland win that battle after a slow start.
JAMES RYAN 7
GOT through his fair share of tackles as Ireland gained the momentum after a slow start in the trenches.
TADHG BEIRNE 8
HIS infringement chalked off Ronan Kelleher’s try but he scored the game clinching one himself after a brilliant game at the line-out and poaching.
RYAN BAIRD 7
JUSTIFIED his inclusion was he got through a huge amount of work with some good carries and big tackles before being replaced by Jack Conan.
JOSH VAN DER FLIER 7
STANDS out his red scrum cap and tackled and tackled all day. His 17 led the way for the Ireland pack that made life difficult for England.
CAELAN DORIS 7
THE captain tackled well and carried well. Also led by example with the referee as Ireland kept their discipline as England lost theirs.
REPLACEMENTS:
ROBBIE HENSHAW (for Hansen (blood sub) 4 mins)
DAN SHEENAN (for Kelleher 50 mins) 7
JACK CONAN (for Baird 50 mins) 7
ROBBIE HENSHAW (for Aki 58 mins) 6
THOMAS CLARKSON (for Bealham 59 mins) 7
JACK CROWLEY (for Prendergast 59 mins) 7
IAIN HENDERSON (for Ryan 62 mins) 6
CIAN HEALY (for Porter 75 mins) 6
CONOR MURRAY (for Gibson-Park 75 mins) 6
