Guiness Six Nations: Ireland Player Ratings vs. Italy At The Aviva Stadium

Ireland player ratings after 20-13 Six Nations win over Italy in Dublin, with Jack Crowley impact, Prendergast struggles and standout back-row displays.

Feb 14, 2026 by Philip Bendon

Guiness Six Nations: Ireland Player Ratings vs. Italy At The Aviva Stadium

Andy Farrell’s Ireland got into the winners column for the first time this Six Nations with a 20-13 victory over an impressive Italian side in Dublin.

Trailing 10-5 at halftime, Ireland floundered with yet another inaccurate showing that has firmly become the team's norm over the past 12 months.

Scoring their lone try through Jamie Osborne with Sam Prendergast missing a sitter of a conversion, Ireland appeared jaded.

Conversely, Italy was fizzing with anticipation that history was beckoning, getting on the board through the boot of Paolo Garbisi, before Giacomo Nicotera pounced from a well-set maul.

Hitting the ground running in the second half, Ireland drove over the line through Jack Conan to level the score. Once again missing a straightforward conversion, Prendergast confirmed he was firmly on an off day.

Making the change at No. 10, 15 minutes into the second half, Farrell saw an instant uptick in performance from his side.

Bringing shape and physicality to the Irish attack, Jack Crowley firmly reopened the conversation as to who should start at Twickenham. Crucially, the Munster 10 slotted his goals, which proved to be crucial, as Ireland limited Italy to a lone Garbisi penalty.

Here is how the Irish players fared at the Aviva Stadium, sparking to life in the second half:

1. Jeremy Loughman – 4

Battled admirably in the face of a ferocious Italian scrummaging performance.

Still, he lacks the dynamism of an Andrew Porter or Paddy McCarthy, and it shows around the park.

While he had a few strong rumbles, the Munster loosehead didn’t have a major impact.

2. Dan Sheehan – 4

Tried to jump over a tackle in the seventh minute in a head-scratching attempt to relive the glory moment of his big-time try on the Lions Tour.

On the whole, while he started well and generally found his marks at line-out time, Sheehan is just lacking the punch for which he is renowned so far this season.

3. Tom Clarkson – 4

Won a penalty in the fifth minute against Fischetti, which was a high point for the Irish scrum.

When Italy went through the gears, the Irish scrum as a whole struggled, with Tadhg Furlong doing no better when he entered the fray.

Defensively, the Leinster tighthead got through plenty of work with nine tackles made.

4. Joe McCarthy – 3

A quiet performance by his standards, the Leinster lock had a handful of carries and got through his tackles, but he lacked his usual punch.

Whether this was a direct result of attempting to tidy up his discipline, or simply an off day, ‘Big Joe’ struggled to make in-roads in his 51 minutes on the pitch.

5. James Ryan – 7

Getting through a mountain of work around the breakdown, while also carrying hard into heavy traffic, Ryan had an industrious performance.

Away from the tangible statistics, Ryan had a fire about him as he got stuck into an Italian side that clearly felt the upset was on the cards.

6. Cormac Izuchukwu – 8

Exceptional in his Six Nations debut, the explosive Ulster backrow dominated the line-out with five wins and a crucial turnover on an Italian attacking throw.

Making seven tackles, including one dominant hit to go with seven carries, one of which came close to being a try, probably ensures he will remain in the jersey next week.

7. Caelan Doris (c) – 6

Came up with a few big moments on both sides of the ball but lacks the consistency that made him one of the world’s best.

Could there be a real case for the captaincy taking away from his game? Still, Doris got through 15 tackles, nine carries, beat four defenders and won a turnover.

8. Jack Conan – 8

Started the second half perfectly with a try from close range to get Ireland back on level terms.

On the whole, the Leinster No. 8 was the pick of the forwards around the park with 12 carries and 19 tackles. This performance once again proved that at the moment, he is the in-form No. 8 in the squad.

9. Craig Casey – 3

Got a yellow card in the 31st minute, It was an unfortunate event in which he came off second-best, and it felt harsh, but accurate by the letter of the law.

In general play, the Munster scrumhalf’s passing was wayward at times, while his box kicking often was too short.

Still, he whipped out 56 passes and offered a sniping threat around the breakdown. In his defense, the Irish breakdown once again was not as effective as it should’ve been.

10. Sam Prendergast – 2

Quite possibly the poorest performance of the young fly-half’s career to date, miscuing his kicks to touch, overcooking contestable kicks and once again slipping tackles.

With ball in hand, he had a few nice passes close to the line, but on the whole, his passing game was loose and put his side under pressure.

Summing up his performance was his two missed conversions from straight in front, while his missed tackle tally now sits at 11 through two matches.

11. James Lowe – 8

Brought great physicality when in possession and covered the Irish backfield with authority.

Unfortunately, he just lacks that yard of pace that made him so destructive in 2023.

This was highlighted by his brilliant intercept to essentially end the match, which in previous years he would’ve taken to the house. Instead, he was tracked down. Still, it was a good performance from the veteran winger who topped the meters-made chart with 138 from three line-breaks with nine defenders beaten.

12. Stuart McCloskey – 9

Found a perfect offload to Jamie Osborne in the 16th minute to get Ireland up and running.

His physicality was central to just about every promising attack Ireland pulled off, which is reflected by his two try assists.

Defensively, the Ulsterman was immense with 17 tackles, many of which were crucial in stopping Italian momentum with his ability to hold up carriers.

13. Garry Ringrose – 5

Saved his best for last with a big hit that stunted the Italian flow as time wound down.

Away from this moment, the Leinster center was relatively quiet and once again missed a handful of tackles.

14. Robert Baloucoune – 8.5

Striking with his one real opportunity, the Ulster winger slipped through the Italian defense for a big-time score midway through the second half.

Aerially, the Ulster winger was exceptional, even when the Irish kicking game was wayward.

15. Jamie Osborne – 8

Ran a super line off McCloskey for the opening try and looked far more comfortable in the backfield.

Topping the carry charts with 14 for 45 meters with three defenders beaten is a solid return offensively.

It was Osborne’s kicking game that proved to be crucial, as he time and again got Ireland out of trouble with his ability clear long.

Replacements

16. Ronan Kelleher – 5

Got through a pile of work defensively as Ireland looked to close out the contest, making making tackles.

On the whole, Kelleher will be frustrated by how far off the pace him and the rest of the Irish front row were at scrum time.

17. Tom O’Toole – 5

Playing out of position at loosehead, the Ulster prop had a challenging run at scrum time.

Defensively, however, his work rate around the park was solid, with nine tackles, but he didn’t quite bring the impact Michael Milne did in Round 1.

18. Tadhg Furlong – 4

Not quite at the same level as the Springboks in 2025, but this was a chastening performance for a player who has been at the top end for over a decade.

Blasted at scrum time and quiet around the park, questions likely will be asked as to just how fully fit the veteran was.

19. Edwin Edogbo – 7

Brought some much-needed power to the Irish scrum late in the contest.

Away from the set-piece, the debutant got through a huge amount of defensive work and was a constant turnover threat.

While he conceded a penalty, it was a solid option, as it firmly brought a halt to the Italian attacking momentum.

20. Tadhg Beirne – 5

One of the many Lions who look out on their feet, Beirne still managed to get through 10 tackles, but he didn’t offer his usual turnover threat.

21. Nick Timoney – 5

A player many felt should’ve started this week, Timoney didn’t quite have the impact he did in Round 1. However, he did get through a bunch of defensive work when Ireland was closing out the contest.

22. Jamison Gibson Park – 8.5

Dovetailing with his fellow replacement Crowley, the experienced scrumhalf brought a level of calm and clarity to the Irish attack.

His box kicking for both contestable and touch was on the money and instantly gave Ireland inroads.

23. Jack Crowley – 8

Simply immense when he entered the fray.

Took the ball to the line, found chinks in the previously impenetrable Italian midfield defense and crucially nailed his goals.

His physicality and pace instantly sparked the Irish attack into action.

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