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Ireland A player ratings vs England A | 2025
By Ian Cameron
Ireland A player ratings:The fact that Ireland A were disrupted by multiple injuries in this 28-12 defeat won’t paper over the fact that England A were in the ascendency in most departments at a blustery and wet Ashton Gate.
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Here’s how we rated the Ireland A players:
1. Tom O’Toole – 5.5
The Drogheda-born prop had a battle on his hands with George Kloska, although the set-piece was a bit of a lottery. Got stuck in the tight exchanges, seemingly happy to get in English faces.
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2. Diarmuid Barron – NA
Taken off after just five minutes for a HIA and didn’t return.
3. Jack Aungier – 5.5
Held up in the scrum against a powerful English front-row unit and arguably edged his 50:50 battle with Phil Brantingham.
4. Evan O’Connell – 5.5
The 6’7 nephew of Paul O’Connell showed glimpses of athletic ability in a malfunctioning lineout, although he needs to add a bit more bulk to his relatively lithe frame.
5. Darragh Murray – 6
The Roscommon man provided a steady presence in the lineout and made his tackles stick. Didn’t shy away from carrying into traffic.
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6. Max Deegan – 7.5
Continued his reputation for tidy link-up play, keeping the ball alive at every opportunity. Always seems to find a way to make metres in tight spaces and threw a fantastic pass for Ireland’s first try. The pick of Ireland A’s back-row.
7. Alex Kendellen – 7
Brought a bit of fight to the breakdown battle and consistently harried England’s ball carriers, leading Ireland’s tackle count.
8. Sean Jansen – 6
A strong runner off the back of the scrum. Contributed to a decent platform for the half-backs and was quick off the mark in defence, even if he didn’t always come out on top in contact against a hulking English pack and missed a few too many tackles.
9. Nathan Doak – 7.5
Managed the conditions well, mixing up distribution. His box kicks were generally excellent and he kept England’s back three on their toes. Was sent to fly-half when Frawley was HIA’d.
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10. Ciaran Frawley – 6.5
A hero of South Africa 8 months previous, Frawley directed traffic efficiently and found his outside backs with some well-executed long passes. Had to move back to fifteen for a spell before returning minutes later after a HIA for Harry Byrne and was himself sent for a HIA in the 56th minute, which he did not return from.
11. Shayne Bolton – 7
Displayed good footwork and finishing instincts out wide. Took his try well and made a couple of eye-catching runs that showed off his pace and power through contact. At times looked a little lost defensively though.
12. Hugh Gavin – 8
Demonstrated solid defensive reads and proved he’s a real menace at the breakdown. Drove the ball up to gain valuable ground, even if he suffered a few slapstick moments in the blustering conditions at Ashton Gate. His late try was an apt reward for his hard work.
13. Jude Postlethwaite – 6
Spent much of the match on the back foot, but he still found opportunities to make good ground on occasion.
14. Tommy O’Brien – 4
Tried to shoe-horn himself into proceedings, but was found wanting for timing and handling in admittedly horrible conditions. Getting rounded in a 1-on-1 by back-row Greg Fisalau put the cherry on top of a poor outing for O’Brien.
15. Shane Daly – NA
Sadly seemed to pull a hamstring making a heroic try-saving tackle on Ollie Hassell-Collins and was replaced by Harry Byrne, with Frawley moving to fullback.
Replacements
16. Stephen Smyth – 5
As with the senior team, lineouts were by times shambolic and Smyth must take some accountability on that front.
17. Paddy McCarthy – 6
The 110kg little brother of ‘Big Joe’ added some oomph in the scrum and around the park.
18. Oli Jager – 6
Powerful scrummaging for the most part, although he didn’t have it all his own way against Tarek Haffar.
19. Conor O’Tighearnaigh – 5
Got involved in some decent carrying work but counted steam the tide of English physical superiority.
20. Alex Soroka – NA
Not on long enough to rate, having come on in the 69th minute.
21. Fintan Gunne – 6
The scrumhalf was asked to slot in the fifteen after two back-to-back injuries to Daly and then Byrne, before eventually finding himself back at nine in the second half. Hard to fault in the context.
22. Harry Byrne – NA
The newly minted Bristol-boy came on to guide the attack in what is now his home stadium but lasted just a couple of minutes before he was sent for a HIA that he didn’t return from.
23. Brian Gleeson – 7
The 6’4, 115kg No.8 made a couple of notable tackles and runs.
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