Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ireland vs Canada player ratings: Impressive Irish prove too strong for Canada

Man-for-man marking from Ireland's win over Canada at the Millennium Stadium

Saturday 19 September 2015 19:41 BST

Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to the perfect start with an emphatic 50-7 victory over Canada at the Millennium Stadium

Ireland went top of Pool D after running in seven tries to secure a bonus-point win.

Joe Schmidt's side establish a four-try lead in the first half with Dave Kearney, Sean O'Brien, Iain Henderson and Jonny Sexton going over.

The Irish forwards were dominant throughout and Sexton and Conor Murry used the front-foot ball to great effect, initiating several intricate moves and creating acres of space for the back three.

Canada came out strong in the second half and their defence held out for 25 minutes, but Ireland eventually broke through with Cronin, Rob Kearney and Payne crossing over.

DTH van der Merwe salvaged a consolation try for the Canucks in the 67th minute but his side rarely threatened the Irish line and never looked like causing an upset.

So how did the players perform? Click on the gallery below to find out.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Show all 14

1/14Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Rob Kearney - 8/10

Kearney carried for more than 120 metres, he looked a threat with the ball in hand throughout and was typically solid under the high ball. Rewarded for his lung-busting support play with a try in the second half.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Dave Kearney - 7/10

Dave Kearney usually spends more time chasing kicks than making carries when playing for his country but he enjoyed plenty of ball in hand against Canada. Carved through the Canadian line at will and finished his try brilliantly.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Keith Earls - 6/10

Energetic and explosive. Enjoyed his room to run in and exploited the space well with his searing speed. Will be disappointed not to get on the score sheet though.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Jared Payne - 8/10

Showcased a brilliant blend of brute force and guile. Cut some clever lines, linked up really well with Fitzgerald and Sexton. Carried for more than 90 metres and scored a well-deserved try. However, his loose kick did gift Canada a try.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Jonny-Sexton.jpg

By the time he made way for Madigan his work was done. Orchestrated his backline brilliantly and initiated all of the clever backs moves. Galloped over for a try in the first half and kicked well, as he always does. Will be happy with his 14-point haul.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Conor Murray - 8/10

Ran the show, although he was operating behind a dominant pack so it was certainly one of Murray's easier international outings. His service was impeccable and his kicking on point.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Jamie Heaslip - 7/10

Hit hard in defence and made 13 tackles in total. Covered plenty of ground with several storming runs and broke clean through the Canadian line on a couple of occasions.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Sean O'Brien - 8/10

The Tullow tank tormented the Canucks at the breakdown. Made countless carries and was rarely stopped short of the gain line. Scored from the back of a rolling maul.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Peter O'Mahony - 8/10

As always, O'Mahony was everywhere. Energetic and industrious in the loose, carried very well and imposed himself at the lineout, stealing Canadian ball on two occasions

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Paul O'Connell - 6/10

Lead from the front with some rampaging runs and almost scored early on when he was held up over the line. Imperious at the lineout but was sin binned for a needless foul.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Iain Henderson - 7/10

Did more than enough to keep his starting spot and keep Toner out of the team for the more important pool matches. Worked hard in the loose with a series of dynamic carries but wasn't used at lineout. Crashed over for an early try and should have scored a second. Topped the tackle count with 19.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Mike Ross - 5/10

A solid shift from the Leinster man, put himself about in defence and made some strong tackles. Enjoyed a relatively straight forward day at the set piece

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Rory Best - 6/10

Looks as sharp as ever at the breakdown as he tormented the Canadian pack. Very accurate at the lineout but fell off a few tackles.

Ireland 50 Canada 7 player ratings

Jack McGrath - 5/10

Scrummaged well against an inferior set of forwards and worked hard at the breakdown but pretty quiet in the loose.

Do you agree with our ratings? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies