Ireland 28 Scotland 22: Player ratings

15 Simon Zebo

Not flawless, but ran some excellent lines, none more so than for his try that he finished superbly and also very good aerially. Rating: 7

14 Tommy Bowe

It was a solid outing without enjoying the impact he traditionally manages when at the top of his form. Rating: 5

13 Jared Payne

Ireland’s best player on the day, his vision, footwork, distribution and defending were of a very high quality. Rating: 8

12 Gordon D’Arcy

The fitful quality of Ireland’s back play didn’t give him much opportunity and when he did get a chance, he was well corralled, while his defence was unusually unassured. Rating: 5

11 Luke Fitzgerald

Took his try superbly but he needs to bring that composure to his all round game. Snatched at a few things and occasionally caught on his heels. Rating: 6

10 Ian Madigan

His kicking game was largely excellent, one penalty aberration aside, and when given a quick service showed vision and a nuanced range of passing. Rating: 7

9 Isaac Boss

The speed of the game in the opening throes of the contest saw him struggle at times to get to the breakdown. He didn’t get a chance to exploit his strength on the fringes. Rating: 5

1 Dave Kilcoyne

The positives far outweigh the negatives - a couple of penalties and a ball stripped - with his carrying, energy, support play and scrum work all of a high calibre. Rating: 7

2 Sean Cronin

The lineout went reasonably well but he looked a little leggy at times and not his normally dynamic self in the loose: sharp to appreciate space for his try. Rating: 6

3 Mike Ross

His value to the team at scrum time is prodigious as he provided the cornerstone of Ireland’s dominance in this facet of the game: a couple of missed tackles. Rating: 6

4 Devin Toner

There can be no faulting his work-rate and while initially part of the handling malaise that affected most of the team, he got better as the game went on. Rating: 6

5 Dan Touhy

He provided lots of energy and a willingness to carry possession but he’ll be disappointed at a number of missed tackles. Rating: 5

6 Jack Conan

A great offload that eventually culminated in an Irish try; he’ll learn a great deal from the experience and be a better player for it. Rating: 6

7 Chris Henry

Ireland won the battle of the breakdown against the Scots, a traditional forte of the visitors, in terms of forcing penalties and turnovers and he was prominent in that respect. Rating: 6

8 Sean O’Brien

Superb at the breakdown, in general he made one or two crucial interventions when Scotland threatened in the Ireland 22. Rating: 8.

Bench: Eoin Reddan's speed to the breakdown revolutionised Ireland's attacking patterns. Paul O'Connell, Jordi Murphy and Nathan White provided a positive impetus, so too Dave Kearney with an impressive cameo. The replacements added significant value. Rating: 8

Coach: The timing of his changes game Ireland the momentum to address a fallow period in the game. There is plenty to work on over the next fortnight. Rating: 7.