Ireland Player Ratings Vs Wales: 2026 Guinness Six Nations
Ireland Player Ratings Vs Wales: 2026 Guinness Six Nations
Ireland Player Ratings vs Wales in the 2026 Guinness Six Nations as Andy Farrell’s side secure a 27 - 17 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland were made to work for their points by a vastly improved Welsh team as they edged out a 27 – 17 win at the Aviva Stadium.
Striking early through Jacob Stockdale to get off to the perfect start, Irish momentum appeared to kick it up a gear when Jack Conan powered over ten minutes later. Unfortunately for the hosts, Conan’s try was chalked off due to an earlier knock-on.
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This missed opportunity followed by a Dan Edwards penalty brought the visitors into the contest.
Frustrating their fancied opponents with a relentless physical effort, Wales held Ireland out until the 37th minute when Jack Crowley powered over.
Two minute later, Wales once again proved that they are getting back to the top table. Scoring a try that will go down in front row folklore, Rhys Carre skinned the Irish defence for one of the best tries we have seen this Championship.
Parking the disappointment of conceding a try on the brink of half-time, Ireland mirrored what they did in Twickenham by landing an early second half blow. Getting his name on the scoresheet, Conan powered over two Welsh defenders to dot down.
Yet again, this proved to be somewhat of a false dawn for the Irish attack who would take until the 67th minute to secure the bonus point through Jamie Osborne. In the meantime, James Botham powered over to come back into the contest.
Whilst the Irish attack was not at the level of Twickenham the Irish defence was relentless.
Here is how the Irish players fared.
1. Tom O'Toole – 6.5
Settled the nerves with a scrum penalty won straight away with Tomas Francis finding his feet too far back. Initiating a choke tackle in the 51st minute to win a turnover for his side was a big time moment just as Wales were gaining momentum.
2. Ronan Kelleher – 7
Hit his markers at line-out time which has been a work on for him in recent seasons. Away from this, he had a few nice carries but his best work was done defensively with 17 tackles during his 63 minutes on the pitch.
3. Tadhg Furlong – 4
Struggled to get to grips with Rhys Carre at scrum time. Around the park whilst he was heavily involved his handling was not at its crisp best. Defensively being left for dead by Carre will be one that he will hear about for years to come in the front row club. Continuing his struggles at scrum time when Nicky Smith came on, Furlong’s frustrations boiled over with a scrap in the 56th minute. Removed from the action three minutes later on the back of a penalty conceded will frustrate him.
4. James Ryan - 7
Perhaps a tad fortunate to avoid a first half yellow card, the Leinster lock played right on the physical edge all evening. Getting through a mountain of work at the breakdown did not deter him from getting on the ball with 14 carries was hugely valuable to his side.
5. Tadhg Beirne – 7.5
Once again had some very influential moments around the breakdown that stunted Welsh momentum. His line-out win in the build-up to Crowley’s try was well timed. In attack, the lock was industrious getting through several carries despite the relentless Welsh defence hitting him back on a few occasions.
6. Jack Conan - 8
Was denied an early try due to a knock-on earlier in the build-up, the backrow went on to get his score early in the second half. In-between these moments, the Leinster backrow pulled off a few big moments including a key turnover.
7. Nick Timoney – 7
An understated performance from the Ulster backrow who was busy from the off with 11 carries and 9 tackles during his 59 minute shift. Most importantly, he made impact with his tackles which brought a halt to promising Welsh build-up play.
8. Caelan Doris – 7.5
Another match involving Karl Dickson in which Doris struggled to get his message across with the English ref time and again dismissing him. Putting this to the side, Doris was exceptionally busy with 13 carries, 17 tackles
9. Jamison Gibson Park – 7.5
Bossed the tempo for his side, on the occasion of his 50th test the Leinster scrumhalf was at his sniping best around the breakdown to start the clash. His departure for a blood injury seemed to knock him off his rhythm for the remainder of the first half.
10. Jack Crowley – 7.5
Found a really strong touch from his first penalty kick. Once again his carrying ability occupied the Welsh defenders and freed up those around him. Most crucially, he was notably vocal in bossing his side around the park, setting up Ireland’s brilliant multiphase play. Scoring his side’s second try just before half-time was a big moment but his issues from the kicking tee will frustrate him. This being said he didn’t shy away from stepping up to hit over the penalty that made it a two score game with three minutes to play.
11. Jacob Stockdale – 6.5
Settled his nerves with a simply perfect line off his Ulster teammate McCloseky to race over for the opening try. One area that will frustrate the Irish coaching staff was his rather lackadaisical chase back when Wales won a turnover in the 20th minute. Jogging back put Crowley under intense pressure with two Welsh players chasing him back when Stockdale should’ve won the race back. Away from this incident, he was dangerous with ball in hand beating 6 defenders in what was a confidence boosting outing.
12. Stuart McCloskey – 7.5
Massively influential once again, started the match with three big carries in the build-up to Jacob Stockdale’s try. He then delivered the perfect pass to his Ulster teammate who scampered over untouched. Saved Ireland in the 23rd minute when he held up Rhys Carre over the line. One area that perhaps could be poked at his continued carries off set-piece. Continually carrying into contact rather than pulling the ball back became a tad predictable.
13. Garry Ringrose – 6
Ultra solid as ever but just doesn’t quite have the spark that he does when he is at his best. Defensively his ability to cut out the opportunity for Wales to get wide was notable. One moment in particular in the 50th minute stopped the visitors dead and earned his side a scrum.
14. Robert Baloucoune - 8
Immediately showed why he is so dangerous with a nice half break that got Ireland racing forward in the build-up to Stockdale’s try. Slipping a tackle on Rhys Carre will be something he will not live down any time soon as the Welsh loosehead slipped free for a special front row try. Despite this slip-up, Baloucoune always had a spark about him with ball in hand, highlighted by his classy offload to Ciaran Frawley late in the match.
15. Jamie Osborne - 8.5
Operated well as a second distributor floating in behind the Irish front up attack. Covering the backfield well, Osborne was dominant under the high ball and cleared the Irish lines well when needed. Finished a well worked try in the 67th minute to secure the bonus point.
Replacements
16. Tom Stewart - 7
Grabbed his opportunity with an impactful cameo that went a long way to stunting several promising Welsh attacks. On the other side of the action, he had a couple of dynamic carries that punched holes in the Welsh defence.
17. Michael Milne - 6
Did well at scrum time when he came on despite Wales being in the ascendancy. Around the park, the Munster loosehead fronted up with 6 tackles and was busy at the breakdown.
18. Thomas Clarkson - 6
Upped the ante when he replaced Furlong who had struggled to get to the pace of the match. His development as a scrummager is a majorly promising step for Leinster as a whole.
19. Joe McCarthy – 8
Did exactly what Andy Farrell would’ve wanted with a barnstorming performance. Battering Welsh carriers with 10 carries during his 20 minute stint plus a few big time carries, one of which turned Wales and came close to setting up an Irish try.
20. Josh van der Flier – 7
Didn’t have a huge amount of opportunities to get into the game but did bring a physical presence at the breakdown. Away from the ruck, he got through some solid defensive moments.
21. Nathan Doak – 6
Did well on his debut with two short stints that accumulated to 13 minutes total. Whilst Ireland conceded a scrum on his first feed it wasn’t his fault. His service from the breakdown was top notch with 23 passes.
22. Tom Farrell – 5
Did well with his 10 minutes on the park, making a few key tackles that slowed Welsh momentum. Similar to the other late substitutions, attacking opportunities were far and few between.
23. Ciaran Frawley – 7
Brought a real impetus to the Irish attack with a few clever passes and kicks. Showing his skillset by collecting a loose ball that could’ve broken for a Welsh try was a nice moment. He came awfully close to racing away for a try when he linked up with Baloucoune.
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