Ireland player ratings after a dour win over Japan
Not the most entertaining of games...Ireland have beaten Japan in Australia by 36-20.There were very few positive performances, as long-standing issues continued to lift their head.Worrying times ahead of New Zealand next week.Tom O'Toole - 5.5The scrum continues to be a huge cause of concern for Ireland, which is particularly disappointing considering how good the Ulsterman was in the Six Nations.Came up with a big turnover and a nice finish for his first international try.Rónan Kelleher - 5The lineout was shocking. Maybe as bad as it has ever been.Not everything can be put on the Leinster hooker, but overthrows and crooked tosses are on him.Having said that, he was excellent in the loose throughout the game.Thomas Clarkson - 4.5Part of a beaten up scrum.Didn't do a huge amount around the park either.Tadhg Beirne - 5.5Not really the game where Beirne excels.The bigger the occasion and the opposition, the better Ireland's talisman plays.James Ryan - 5Not a bad game, but you would want a player of his stature to put more of a stamp on a match against weaker opposition.Jack Conan - 6.5Didn't have a massive impact in the carry, but had big moments including a crucial first-half lineout steal.Nick Timoney - 7.5Ireland's best player on the day, particularly in the first half where he was everywhere.He made 40 metres, was Ireland's top tackler, and got in for a try.Sean Jansen - 7Struggled initially but got a lot better as the game went on.Made a lot of metres and got a try and man of the match on debut.Craig Casey - 5.5Didn't put any pressure on Jamison Gibson-Park with an error-strewn performance.Made a poor skip-pass decision when Ireland looked nailed on for a try, and got pinged in the second half when he wasn't five metres out from touch in for a lineout move.Made a superb try-saving tackle in the second half.Ciarán Frawley - 5.5Failed to make the most of a valuable opportunity.Looked like a man out of practice in the 10 slot.Jacob Stockdale - 5.5Never got into the game, but this was far from his fault.The Irish backline never really got firing and failed to give him the type of ball he needs to shine.Stuart McCloskey - 7Showed up with a lot of big moments, and continued his role of Ireland's go-to man.Robbie Henshaw - 7Was a beast in defence, and was one of few players who looked like they really cared.Jimmy O'Brien - 7A really impressive showing considering the lack of good ball.Frequently came off his wing and made positive plays.Jamie Osborne - 6Was solid if unspectacular.Replacements:
