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4th February 2017
04:29pm GMT

Smart, bold bolt for his try. Too deep, too often. Threw a skittery pass early in the piece, which suggested his head might not be fully screwed on. His clean break into the Scottish 22 set the platform for Earls' try. Pinged for not rolling away for Laidlaw's late penalty.
Conor Murray - 6
Perhaps was going for Zebo but somehow himself and Kearney combined for that costly knock-on before Dunbar's try. Super break almost led to a try and he blocked a grubber and pounced on the skittling ball. Some passes were too high but he traced one at Jackson's chest for his try.
Jack McGrath - 7
Superb in the scrum but struggled to impose himself on the game in the loose. Was bashed back a couple of metres when he tried to take Josh Strauss head-on. Important pick, drive and offload in the lead-up to Henderson's try.
Rory Best - 6
Lineout overthrow early on set a poor tone. That set-piece was under fierce pressure and was taking away from the profitable scrum. Made some important, bullocking carries as Ireland clawed their way back into the tie.
Tadhg Furlong - 7
Statement made at the very first scrum. He had Allan Dell's number but it was a shame Ireland were not capitalising. Like most of his teammates, improved as the game went on. Some bruising carries to boot.
Devin Toner - 5
Lineout was in trouble in attack and defence so Toner will own some of that. Was shown up by the Gray brothers in a shell-shock first half. Line-out got its act together after the break with Toner calling a couple of big throws on himself.
Iain Henderson - 7
Chose to pass rather than plough into Scottish lines. One of the guilty party that did not spot centre Dunbar in the lineout. Muscled his way over for a try from close in after 10 phases of Irish pressure.
https://twitter.com/Inphosports/status/827904141867511811
CJ Stander - 6
Was getting well marshalled in the first half and his most notable contribution was winning a turnover in his own half. Ran down a couple of blind alleys but his directness was vital in Ireland's fight-back. Gave away a bad penalty when caught in possession near the end.
Sean O'Brien - 9
Made a careening run deep into the Scottish 22 that spurred Ireland on after conceding that early try. Won an important turnover early in the second half. Another stunning second half line break of 20-metres plus but his teammates could not make it count.
Jamie Heaslip - 5
Made a good, early hit on Finn Russell. A couple of strong carries that got Ireland some front-foot ball but he was getting no change out of the fired up Gray brothers in the loose. Gave away a costly penalty on the Scottish 22 when he got his body position all wrong after taking the ball into contact. Tossed an offload under the shadow of the Scottish posts that was meant for Henshaw but was intercepted.
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