Man for man Marking: Ireland vs England

15. Rob Kearney

Expensively got caught in possession a few times. Solid as usual under the high ball but did nothing going forward. 6/10

14. Craig Gilroy

Got little chance to run with the ball but made the tackles when required, although Ireland wasted their fastest player on the park. 5

13. Brian O'Driscoll

Eventful day which began with the birth of his daughter. Superb in defence but got little space going forward. 7

12. Gordon D'Arcy

Kept busy on defensive duties but did not utilise the opportunities when he did manage to gain possession of the ball. 5

11. Simon Zebo

The hero from Cardiff lasted just 11 minutes before limping off with a broken bone in his foot. Saw little of the ball in his short cameo. 5

10. Jonathan Sexton

Another man who didn't make it to half-time, pulling a hamstring as he hacked at a ball. Kicked well from the hand. 6

9. Conor Murray

Caught out of position on a few occasions when Ireland needed quick ball. Good box-kicking but Ireland needed an injection of pace. 5

1. Cian Healy

Set for a ban for stamp on Dan Cole. Summed up his frustrations but should be very pleased with excellent Irish scrum. 6

2. Rory Best

Endured some hardship with the darts early on but recovered and contributed well in open play in a battle of attrition.6

3. Mike Ross

Value to this Irish team is immeasurable. Super scrummager and helped give Ireland an unexpected edge which they did not use. 8

4. Mike McCarthy

Undermined performance by dropping ball in contact several times but brings a lot of punch to the Irish pack. 6

5. Donnacha Ryan

Solid without being spectacular, Ryan produced another honest shift but was not without blame in Ireland's chronic level of turnovers. 6

6. Peter O'Mahony

Did his utmost to lift an ailing side with some swashbuckling play and was never too far away from any dust-ups. 6

7. Sean O'Brien

Tried to run at every opportunity, often dangerously deep inside his own half, but was gasping towards the end as the hits took their toll. 6

8. Jamie Heaslip

Large tracts of the game passed him by and will be disappointed with his display on his time leading the side at home in the Six Nations.5

Best off the bench

23. Keith Earls

Good break with first ball he got after coming on for Zebo laid down a marker for a good performance.7

England

15. Alex Goode

Rock solid throughout, read everything superbly and handled the wet ball with confidence throughout the game. 8/10

14. Chris Ashton

Saw little possession in the opening half as both sides struggled to go wide, but was assured in anything he did. 7

13. Bradley Barritt

Another solid display in a game of minimal line breaks, but Ireland could not find a way through the English centre. 6

12. Billy Twelvetrees

Got the hits in and produced the turnovers on a foul afternoon when doing the simple things well paid a big dividend. 7

11. Mike Brown

Not a game for wingers, so the converted full-back found plenty of clearing up duties to handle, which he did capably. 7

10. Owen Farrell

Excellent outing despite the missed penalties at the end of each half. As usual, looked way beyond 21. Impressive tactical kicking as well. 8

9. Ben Youngs

Superb afternoon's work for the scrum-half, kept Ireland guessing and varied his game throughout. Excellent ball use. 8

1. Joe Marler

Encountered problems in the scrum but battled away to keep England in the game before making way going into the final quarter. 6

2. Tom Youngs

Tough day in the line-out for Youngs with Ireland attacking every throw, but mopped up well for England in the loose. 6

3. Dan Cole

Scavenged hard at the breakdown when England needed bodies on the line. Attracted plenty of Irish response. 6

4. Joe Launchbury

Found it tough going in the line-out in Dublin but carried well in open play before making way after 47 minutes. 5

5. Geoff Parling

Conditions did not suit a player who likes to do so much in the loose, but made a worthwhile contribution to the cause. 6

6. James Haskell

His 10 minutes in the sin bin could have been very costly and would have undermined a fine performance. 6

7. Chris Robshaw

Led from the front as a captain should. Superb in tackling and carrying and guided his men safely home. Magnificent. 9

8. Tom Wood

Saints' man put in a solid shift as Ireland attacked. Adapted well to his position at No 8. 6

Best off the bench

23. Manu Tuilagi

Could have scored a couple of tries but bounce of the ball went against him. Brought an instant threat for the visitors. 7