France v Ireland player ratings: Joe McCarthy delivers towering Six Nations debut
Ireland produced a near-complete display against a France side who lacked their usual panache even before Paul Willemse’s first-half sending off for a second yellow card.
Here, Telegraph Sport runs the rule over the performances in Marseille
France
15. Thomas Ramos
Dependable as ever at the back but will be frustrated by the lack of space created for him. Kicked his goals. 6/10
14. Damian Penaud
A few shaky moments under high balls which Ireland exploited but he took his try neatly. 6/10
13. Gael Fickou
It is not often that Fickou is part of the inferior midfield combination but the centre was in Marseille. Leaky. 5/10
12. Jonathan Danty
The wrecking ball, as destructive a centre as any last year, was neutralised by Aki and looked all at sea. 4/10
11. Yoram Moefana
Did not have much to do but clearly he is held in high regard as he switched to centre late on with Danty the man hooked. 6/10
10. Matthieu Jalibert
A dazzling run early on was the undoubted highlight but Jalibert struggled to impose and control as authoritatively as Crowley. 5/10
9. Maxime Lucu
The biggest boots to fill, with Dupont missing. Lucu’s kicking was handy but he was harried and hassled around the fringes. 4/10
1. Cyril Baille
That trademark dynamic carrying caused France problems and he had Furlong on toast at the scrum. 7/10
2. Peato Mauvaka
One of the stars of the World Cup had one of his quieter nights. France’s line-out struggled - albeit a lock short - and Marchand might return next week. 6/10
3. Uini Atonio
France’s leading light. Some of the defensive shots were thunderous - and legal - and his scrummaging was faultless. 8/10
4. Paul Gabrillagues
His first appearance of the Galthié era. Did not put a foot wrong but hardly excelled, either. 6/10
5. Paul Willemse
The first hit was silly enough but to commit exactly the same offence six minutes after returning to the field, after a get-out-jail-free card, bordered on lunacy. France’s hopes of victory departed with him. 1/10
6. François Cros
Did the nuts and bolts as ever but France needed him to stand up following Willemse’s departure and he was muzzled. 5/10
7. Charles Ollivon
Could do nothing to halt France’s ailing first-half line-out but fought his socks off defensively in a beaten cause. 7/10
8. Gregory Alldritt (capt)
The work-rate is staggering but the great Alldritt struggled for efficacy, especially when compared to opposite number Doris. 7/10
Replacements
Posolo Tuilagi, on debut, was colossal. So, too, the reserve front row and Bielle-Biarrey was a handful out wide. 8/10
Ireland
15. Hugo Keenan
The most rounded full-back in world rugby. Some of his attacking touches were supreme but it is how he reads the game that impresses most. 9/10
14. Calvin Nash
The Six Nations debutant looked totally at ease with the rigours of international rugby and took his try with aplomb. 7/10
13. Robbie Henshaw
Outside centre was purportedly an Irish weakness with Garry Ringrose missing. Henshaw ensured those fears were folly. 8/10
12. Bundee Aki
Threw the most glorious offload for the opening try and looked every bit the player that surged to World XV status at last year’s showpiece. 9/10
11. James Lowe
His left peg increases his value to this side tenfold. But it is not just that; it’s the will and aggression, too, to match the skill. 8/10
10. Jack Crowley
Another with large shoes to fill. A nervy start was banished by the most sumptuous of delayed passes for Beirne’s try. Kicked immaculately bar one, too. 8/10
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
Fizzed around the base and directed his troops with customary assuredness. One box-kick straight out was the only glaring error. 7/10
1. Andrew Porter
The effort could not be faulted and certainly he remains one of the world’s best but Atonio, then Aldegheri, troubled him. 6/10
2. Dan Sheehan
It was the hooker’s try which put the result beyond doubt and his arrows at line-out were exquisite all evening. 7/10
3. Tadhg Furlong
Showed silken touches in attack but was put under serious pressure by both Baille and Wardi at the scrummage. With France at 15 players it could have become messy. 6/10
4. Joe McCarthy
Tenacious and towering on Six Nations debut. A man possessed at lock with a phenomenal future ahead. One careless dropped pass the only blot. 9/10
5. Tadhg Beirne
Ran the cutest line for his first-half try and is maturing into a force of nature, especially at the line-out. Could be an all-time great. 8/10
6. Peter O’Mahony (capt)
Correctly yellow carded for collapsing a menacing French maul but other than that the marauding O’Mahony was marvellous. 8/10
7. Josh van der Flier
The flanker is not at his 2022 best but the Irish back row was sublimely balanced and his grafting played its part. 7/10
8. Caelan Doris
Not many outplay Alldritt, especially on home turf, but Doris did. A big man but even then he punches above his weight - with guile, too. 9/10
Replacements
The cavalry took over from where the starters left off, but against 14 players their job was largely more routine. France still required putting away, mind you. 7/10
