Ireland players ratings v Russia

Ireland players ratings v Russia

Rob Kearney 6/10
Ran like the Clongowes schoolboy of old and thankfully recovered from jarred knee. Conditioning steadily improving; he looks primed to make a serious impact next week.

Fergus McFadden 6
Took try well. Remains a genuine candidate to be retained in the 22 but probably needed a sensational contribution here to feature against Italy or in the quarter-final.

Keith Earls 6
Finally performing to the expected high standards despite constant shifting from wing to centre.

Paddy Wallace 6
Much maligned, his defence remains a concern, but he is Ireland's one true second five-eighth in a creative context.

Andrew Trimble 7
Continues to push Earls and Tommy Bowe for a wing spot. Playing at a career-high level, he even rescued Ronan O'Gara from a nasty beating off Adam Byrnes.

Ronan O'Gara 6
Played well. Kicked well. A 34-year-old who attempts to  improve facets of his game after being dropped deserves national respect.

Isaac Boss 5
Cleverly-taken try and clearly relished playing just a few miles down the road from his home town of Tokoroa but Eoin Reddan's pass is superior.

Cian Healy 7
Carried with typical aggression and growing into a world-class scrum merchant, it was deeply troubling that he wasn't immediately replaced when stunned on 42 minutes. Why wait?

Seán Cronin 6
Not budging Rory Best although his carries in midfield and defensive work were reassuring should he be needed.

Tony Buckley 5
Twice penalised for not holding his bind so still cannot be trusted in a major Test match. This overshadows a powerful late try (which ensured Ireland beat the spread).

Donncha O'Callaghan 6
Always seems to up his performance in green when Paul O'Connell is absent. Maybe his usual endeavours just become more evident.

Leo Cullen 6
Huge match for the captain having slipped down pecking order behind the more versatile Donnacha Ryan. Solid for the 80.

Donnacha Ryan 6
Worked hard, mainly in tandem with Tony Buckley, as they set about spoiling Russian attempts to secure good possession.

Seán O'Brien 8.5
The southern hemisphere now knows what Europe figured out earlier this year. Constant, second wave runs from deep blew tacklers away. Offloading ability also evident.

Jamie Heaslip 7
Again overshadowed by Carlow granite but some decent rumbles, ruck work and a valuable lineout option. Some subtle handling too.

The Bench 6
Eager contributions from Denis Leamy, Shane Jennings and Geordan Murphy.