Ireland player ratings vs England: 2026 Six Nations

Rugby News

by Tom Sansom

Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 16:12

byTom Sansom

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Ireland player ratings vs England as Andy Farrell's men made it back-to-back 2026 Six Nations wins at Twickenham.

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Ireland secured a memorable 42-21 victory at Twickenham, as an impressive five-try effort handed England their second consecutive defeat in the 2026 Six Nations.

Despite struggling at scrum-time with a handful of set-piece penalties, Ireland were first to break the deadlock. Jack Crowley nailed his first crack at the sticks for a three point lead, before Andy Farrell's side followed this up with the first try of the match. Jamison Gibson-Park skipped free with a quick tap to catch England's defence off guard.

The men in green rode this momentum back across England's whitewash, as in-form Ulster centre Stuart McCloskey broke free with a stunning break. Gibson-Park shipped the re-set ball out wide, to find Rob Baloucoune in space for a walk-in finish from the Ulster wing. Ireland weren't finished with their first half offensive, as Balocoune sold Tommy Freeman on the dummy to break into the back-field.

Tommy O'Brien followed in pursuit, with the Leinster flyer on hand to finish the counter-attack. Crowley kept Ireland's score-board ticking over, to rack up a 22-point deficit. England replied with a try on the stroke of half-time, as Ireland's sturdy defence finally buckled for Fraser Dingwall to score. George Ford slotted the two pointer, to send the sides off at 22-7.

Henry Pollock marked his first England start with a trip to the sin-bin, which Ireland immediately capitalised upon. Dan Sheehan was next across the try-line, as the hooker wrestled his way over from close range. England rallied back once Pollock returned, as the Northampton star delivered a beautiful offload in the lead up to Ollie Lawrence's score. Ford's conversion narrowed the gap to 29-14 after 54 minutes.

Crowley added two more penalties, as England's discipline dropped throughout the second half. Jamie Osborne capped off his day with a stunning score, as Ireland hammered the nail into England's coffin for an emphatic away win. England picked up a consolation score in the closing five minutes, as Sam Underhill pushed his way over from close range.

Scroll down for Ireland player ratings vs England:

Check out the ENGLAND RUGBY x UNDEFEATED x CASTORE collection.

England: 21

Tries: Dingwall (40'), Lawrence (53'), Underhill (75')
Cons: Ford (40', 53',76')
Pens:

Ireland: 42

Tries: Gibson-Park (19'), Baloucoune (28'), O'Brien (29'), Sheehan (43'), Osborne (69')
Cons: Crowley (20', 30', 44')
Pens: Crowley (3', 58', 66')

Ireland player ratings vs England:

15. JAMIE OSBORNE – 7.5

Marked and gathered Ford's kick to touch and cleared the danger well. Read the high balls superbly and was ever-present on the kick chase. His lungs were burning after tracking back to tackle Henry Arundell and deny England a 34th-minute try. Great work from the full-back, who capped his day with a strong second-half try.

14. ROBERT BALOUCOUNE – 7.5

In hot form after a Player of the Match performance on his Six Nations debut, he made a well-timed hit on Steward to force a spill. Excellent takes in the air from the in-form Ulster wing. Smart work out wide with hits on Henry Arundell and strong breakdown battling. Made a powerful break in the build-up to Ireland's opening score. Sold Tommy Freeman with a dummy to skip free and assist Tommy O'Brien. Produced a strong hit to send a try-bound Freeman into touch at the hour mark.

13. GARRY RINGROSE (OFF 55') – 6

His first touch was a wayward pass to ground, but the Leinster man soon burst into life. Cleared the danger well with the boot under pressure. Threw his weight around with customary carries as Ireland roared into a hot start. Great hit on Arundell to send the speedster into touch as England attacked on 49 minutes. Went off in some discomfort after attempting to claim a high ball.

12. STUART MCCLOSKEY – 7

The in-form Ulster star got the nod again, with Bundee Aki set to return against Wales. Made a great break in the lead-up to Baloucoune's try and attempted to ship his trademark offloads to supporting runners. England had done their homework, making it tougher for McCloskey to find space and pick out his receivers. Caught up in some pushing and shoving as England’s tempers flared. Brilliant work to track back and deny Marcus Smith’s intercept opportunity.

11. JAMES LOWE – 5 (OFF 18')

Well timed to read the high ball and make a hit out wide. Quick to pounce and clear a loose ball at 18 minutes with a clever kick. Replaced shortly after due to injury.

10. JACK CROWLEY – 7.5

Earned his start, with no place in the squad for Sam Prendergast. Recovered from a wayward Ringrose pass to produce a nice kick to touch. Nailed his first three shots at goal, drawing a roar from Ireland fans at the Allianz. Backed himself from range but sliced a 23rd-minute penalty. Excelled with his game management and took his points well.

9. JAMISON GIBSON-PARK – 9.5 (OFF 70')

Returned to the starting XV after a strong impact off the bench against Italy. Took control early with accurate box kicks and raced away for a well-taken opening score. Unlucky not to grab a second after a mid-air collision ruled it out. Ran the backline at blistering speed. Croc-rolled by Jamie George as he absorbed plenty of hits. Produced a breathtaking turnover by following his own kick, tackling Marcus Smith, and winning back possession.

1. JEREMY LOUGHMAN – 5.5 (OFF 46')

A third straight start for the Munster man, who is enjoying a breakout campaign. Told to “be patient” at the scrum, along with his front row, who were too eager to engage. Received medical attention midway through the first half but carried on. Attempted a subtle offload, but it went forward. Not his strongest outing, departing after 46 minutes.

2. DAN SHEEHAN – 6 (OFF 55')

A slow start at scrum time, with Ireland conceding a penalty on England’s 5m line. Made a nice carry at 13 minutes to skip out of a tackle. Won a 21st-minute turnover at the ruck as he found his groove, despite some line-out wobbles again. Got off to a strong start in the second half with a try as Ireland capitalised on the extra man.

3. TADHG FURLONG – 5 (OFF 46')

Penalised at an early scrum, with the referee keen to reset the set-piece. Struggled against Ellis Genge at the fifth- and 14th-minute scrums. Received several warnings from referee Andrea Piardi during a slow start. Lucky to avoid a card for his clear-out on Tom Curry and departed early in the second half. A tough day for the prop.

4. JOE MCCARTHY – 6.5 (OFF 62')

Made a nice steal to get Ireland back on the ball but flew out of the line to concede an offside penalty after nine minutes. Delivered strong chop tackles on Henry Pollock and Maro Itoje, putting his body on the line. Produced a highlight-reel break downfield that was ultimately ruled out for an earlier knock-on. A stronger performance than in his previous two Six Nations outings.

5. JAMES RYAN – 6.5

The heartbeat of the engine room, he emptied the tank with chop tackles and breakdown work. Provided reliable hands at the line-out, aside from a wayward 38th-minute mishap. Disruptive in the air, clattering into Itoje to force a set-piece offence.

6. TADHG BEIRNE – 8.5

Rose high to steal a third-minute line-out from the grasp of centurion Maro Itoje. Produced phenomenal breakdown work to turn over Jamie George and deny a try from close range on 37 minutes. Worked tirelessly to hold up and turn over Ford at a maul. The Munster man was immense in London and seemed to have an answer for everything.

7. JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 7 (OFF 49')

Back in the side and fearlessly disruptive at the breakdown. Produced stunning work to make a first-half break, blitzing through the defence and finding his support runner. His red scrum cap was ever-present in Ireland’s defence and in the mauls.

8. CAELAN DORIS – 6.5

Flattened by a powerful Joe Heyes carry in a rare sight for the skipper. Showed nice hands to send Baloucoune through a gap to set up O'Brien’s score. Penalised for illegal hands in the ruck, handing England a 5m line-out. Made an impressive early break downfield as Ireland rallied again.

REPLACEMENTS

16. RONAN KELLEHER (ON 55') – 6

Took over set-piece leadership as the match approached a tense finale at Twickenham. His first scrum was reset, with both English props overzealous on the push.

17. TOM O'TOOLE (ON 46') – 6.5

The versatile “multi-Toole” was again deployed at loosehead despite his provincial work at tighthead. Fronted up against Joe Heyes as England’s early scrum infringements cost them field position. Flew out of the line to make chop tackles.

18. FINLAY BEALHAM (ON 46') – 6

Entered alongside Tom O'Toole as Farrell refreshed the front row with a double substitution. Solid in his first few scrums, but collapsed at the 61st-minute engagement to concede an England penalty.

19. NICK TIMONEY (ON 49') – 6.5

Thrown on with instructions to empty the tank, replacing workhorse Josh van der Flier. Immediately involved as he battled on his own line to keep England at bay. Contributed strongly to the break leading to Tommy O'Brien’s try. Involved in some afters with Henry Pollock.

20. CIAN PRENDERGAST (ON 62') – 6

A late call-up to the squad after Jack Conan withdrew in the warm-up. Replaced Joe McCarthy as Farrell reshuffled his pack.

21. CRAIG CASEY (ON 70') – 5

Came on to close out the match after a superb display from Gibson-Park.

22. CIARAN FRAWLEY (ON 55') – 6.5

Selected ahead of Sam Prendergast, with his versatility seeing him introduced as cover for Garry Ringrose in midfield.

23. TOMMY O'BRIEN (ON 18') – 8

Thrown onto the wing earlier than expected after James Lowe sustained a leg injury. Immediately involved with a strong support break in the lead-up to Gibson-Park’s score. Penalised for an airborne collision with Steward that denied Gibson-Park a second try. Finished brilliantly for Ireland’s third. Produced stunning cover defence alongside Baloucoune to send Freeman into touch. An outstanding impact from the bench.