15. Felix Jones
Jones wasn’t spectacular but given Rob Kearney’s woes, he didn’t have to be make this team.
14. Tommy Bowe
Bowe was brilliant for Ulster – he threw an excellent offload to create a try for Darren Cave and showed great strength to finish this move off in the corner.
13. Darren Cave
Cave ran a nice support line for the aforementioned try and had another strong outing at 13. He must have done something right because Ulster gave him a new deal today.
12. Stuart Olding
Olding wasn’t at his most incisive against the Scarlets, but it was a very uninspiring outing from Munster and Leinster’s backlines so he didn’t have a whole load of competition.
11. Simon Zebo
Munster struggled to create much in the face of a stifling Clermont defence but Zebo was quite lively whenever he touched the ball. He gained the most metres for his team and his spin move regularly bamboozled would-be tacklers.
10. Ian Madigan
Madigan dead-eyed kicking – he was six-for-six against Quins – was the only time Leinster really threatened the scoreboard on Sunday. The outhalf/centre’s boot from placed balls is about the only thing Leinster can rely on these days.
9. Peter Stringer
Stringer is arguably the second best Irish scrum-half at the moment and he was very industrious on Friday night for Bath. After his introduction Bath scored three tries, in part because how quickly he bounced from breakdown to breakdown. Any chance Joe brings him into the 6 Nations squad?
1. Jack McGrath
The Leinster scrum was under pressure but that wasn’t McGrath’s fault. He had another typically busy outing in the loose, and while he isn’t as dynamic as Cian Healy, he certainly adds some power when he carries the ball.
2. Rory Best
Another solid display from one of Ireland’s most consistent performers. Like Paul O’Connell, he seems to be getting better with age. He showed great passion after mauling over for a try too.
3. N/A
Mike Ross was the only Irish-qualified tighthead to start in the Champions Cup this weekend, and he was tormented by Joe Marler.
4. Devin Toner
Toner was Leinster’s top lineout target and also made eight tackles. There was also an uncharacteristically speedy break in the first half that was marvellous.
5. Dan Tuohy
Tuohy is still playing his way into form after his broken arm, but he is already showing signs that he is close to the level with which he started the season, when he scored three tries.
*Tuohy wore the number four for Ulster, but we shift him to five for the purposes of this team. It leaves our locking pairing looking a little imbalanced, but so be it.
6. Rhys Ruddock
Ruddock was one of Leinster’s most effective strike runners, carrying 14 times for 55 metres, which was the second most made on the team. He regularly freed his hands in contact too, but the perfect opportunity to offload never presented itself.
7. Tommy O’Donnell
O’Donnell was the only member of Munster’s back row who came close to matching the stellar performances of the first two rounds. Like Zebo, he offered Munster a good outlet in attack and on a few occasions found himself scorching around the open-field.
8. Jamie Heaslip
Another position where there wasn’t a whole load of competition, but Heaslip was still Leinster’s top tackler with nine.
N.B. We’ve limited this selection to players who are available to Ireland for the upcoming 6 Nations.
