Three players Ireland must drop despite Wales win – who should replace them
Rugby NewsSaturday, 22 February 2025 at 17:04
Ireland kept their Six Nations three-peat hopes alive with a dramatic 31-18 win over Wales, securing their 14th Triple Crown in the process. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing in Cardiff.
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Garry Ringrose sees red
The game took a controversial turn in the 34th minute when Ireland centre Garry Ringrose was handed a 20-minute red card for a high tackle on Wales’ Ben Thomas.
Ireland's comeback kings
Trailing 18-10, the visitors flipped the script with second-half tries from Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne, while young fly-half Sam Prendergast kept the scoreboard ticking with 17 points from the tee.
Wales show fight under new boss
Matt Sherratt’s side looked rejuvenated, with Jac Morgan leading from the front with a powerful try, Tom Rogers crossing for another, and Gareth Anscombe adding eight points on his return.
Bigger tests ahead for Ireland
Ireland will need to step up if they’re to complete a Grand Slam, with France heading to Dublin next before a final-day clash in Rome. Meanwhile, Wales face a battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon against Scotland and England.
Four changes Simon Easterby must make for France – full breakdown below.
#1. Garry Ringrose
RUCK 3/10: "Gave away a cheap penalty and a consequential yellow card when Ireland were on the back foot towards the end of the first half which not only gave Wales an easy three points but a bunker review upgrade to a red card took Ringrose out of the game really before he even got into it."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "Back in the starting side after coming off the pine against Scotland. Maybe could have scored but for a poor pass from Jamie Osborne and was yellow-carded minutes later for a clumsy challenge that was upgraded to a 20-minute red."
JOE 5/10: "Was good while he was in the pitch but his red card was costly."
BALLS.ie: "Did little in attack but stuck all six of his tackles. Unfortunately, one of them was too high on Thomas and he copped a 20-minute red card."
Planet. Rugby 3/10: "A bad day for the centre, who was red carded for a head-on-head collision with Ben Thomas and will probably sit out the rest of the Six Nations as a result."
Replacement: Bundee Aki
#2. Thomas Clarkson
Planet Rugby 5/10: "A first Test start and he endured a difficult day at the office. Was part of a front-row that was regularly penalised."
RUCK 4/10: "Ireland’s scrum was their Achilles heel in the first half and gave Wales some easy ways out of Irish pressure. Clarkson wasn’t the sole issue however he didn’t exactly aid their cause WillGriff John often getting the better of his opposite number."
BALLS.ie 5/10: "Scrum had a tough start but he won the penalty that made it 10-0."
Rugby Pass 4/10: "The scrum was a disaster zone, with Clarkson struggling against the experienced Nicky Smith [he did better against Gareth Thomas]. A real baptism of fire for the rookie tighthead. It’ll stand to him."
JOE 5/10: "Ireland’s shocking performance at scrum time was the key to Wales’ lead at half-time."
Replacement: Tadhg Furlong
#3. Jamie Osbourne
Rugby Pass 4.5/10: "Losing a highball contest wasn’t the ideal start to his Six Nations debut and a rushed pass more or less killed a sure Ringrose try in the 30th minute.
"Was in the right place at the right time for Ireland’s 55th-minute try and made a number of telling late plays that left him on the positive side of the ledger."
Replacement: Hugo Keenan
EDITORS PICKS:
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