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Ireland player ratings after seeing off Scotland in RWC opener

Ireland were utterly dominant against the Scots today with each and every player stepping up on t...



Ireland were utterly dominant against the Scots today with each and every player stepping up on the big stage.

While Schmidt's side failed to capitalise on a couple of scoring opportunities there's very little to complain about as Ireland took control of Pool A.

15. Jordan Larmour: 8
The young man did everything that was asked of him in tough weather conditions. Did well in the air and offered plenty of threat in attack in a good all-round performance.

14. Andrew Conway: 8
Many would have expected him to start at fullback and have Larmour on the wing but it worked out well in the back three. Also handled condidtions very well and dotted down for a try to put his side out of reach.

13.Garry Ringrose: 7
Maybe didn't get the ball as much as he would have liked but Ireland's low pass rate gave him few opportunities to impress in attack. Did well in defence as Scotland's centre pairing looked ineffective.

12. Bundee Aki: 7
Was playing well but left the field before 30 minutes for a head injury. Made two great steals in the rucks and made no mistakes in what was a brief but solid performance.

11. Jacob Stockdale: 8
He didn't get on the scoresheet as he so often does but nevertheless, he was a constant danger in attack and despite one dropped ball he did well in the wet conditions.

10. Johnny Sexton: 7
Didn't put a foot wrong but didn't light up the match as he so often does. Must have felt a slight niggle as Conor Murray took over the kicking duties and came off around the 55-minute mark after the game was out of reach.

9. Conor Murray:8
The best performance we've seen from the Munster talisman in quite a while. His box kicks were superb and his passing was equally impressive on in the wet conditions.

8. CJ Stander:9
Man of the match and deservedly so. Many had called for Jack Conan to start ahead of him but he repaid Schmidt's faith in him with a massive performance.

7. Josh van der Flier: 8
The openside flanker might not make the big plays but always does an extraordinary amount of unseen work. His doggedness in defence was crucial in keeping Scotland to 3 points.

6. Peter O'Mahony: 6
Did well in the lineout and brought plenty of passion to the team as always. Came off early after failing a HIA however, in what will be a worry for Schmidt.

5. James Ryan: 8
Another day and another vintage performance from the Leinster man. Scored a try and surely wasn't far behind Stander in the struggle for the man of the match award.

4. Iain Henderson: 8
His early barnstorming run through the heart of the Scottish set Ireland off on the right foot and was impressive throughout the game. Himself and Ryan are surely now nailed on as the starting second-row partnership.

3. Tadhg Furlong: 8
There aren't too many props that score as often as the Wexford man but it's just what we've come to expect from him. Came off a little earlier than usual but only because Ireland were in complete control.

2. Rory Best: 8
A solid performance all-round from Ireland's captain after he struggled to find form in recent times. The lineout functioned very well in wet conditions.

1. Cian Healy: 8
Consistent as always. The man has been in excellent form for club and country and thankfully it looks like he has brought that form to the World Cup.

Replacements: 8
Kept the pressure on the Scots after the starting team laid down the foundations. Chris Farrell and Jack Conan in particular impressed after coming on early after after Aki and O'Mahony failed HIAs.

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