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