I feel sorry for some of the players in the Welsh backrow and backline, because they were under pressure all game behind a struggling front 5. Difficult to properly stake a claim on the back foot. A few managed to show some glimpses, but without the ball it was tough going.
Francis should have started because he's the strongest scrummaging tighthead available, and maybe that could have given us a platform to enable the rest of the pack and the backline to compete.
In hindsight Gatland probably should have started a few more first team players, or at least had them on the bench.
This is what I thought of the Welsh players' performances:
01 Nicky Smith : I'm a big fan of Smith, but it's perhaps a bit early for him atm. Busy early on, but seemed to struggle in the scrum.
02 Richard Hibbard : started quite well, with some trademark big hits and solid lineouts on our own line. Poor decision to pick and go with no support midway through the first half. Lineout also faltered when we were pressing. Fatal error leading to an Ireland try.
03 Aaron Jarvis : really struggled scrum time, which is a big worry as he's likely got a part to play in the WC. Not that prominent in the loose either.
04 Jake Ball : seemed a little quiet to me. Some good carrying work in the first half, but didn't appear as busy as he usually is.
05 Dominic Day : mixed bag I thought. Prominent in the lineout, and offered himself in the loose. A few costly handling errors though.
06 Ross Moriarty : another mixed bag performance. Some strong carrying was offset by some handling errors, a yellow card, and a lack of work in the tight.
07 Justin Tipuric : tough day at the office in terms of breakdown, but it's always tough for opensides when they're on the backfoot all day. Had a hand in 2 try's though, really showing his class for his.
08 Dan Baker : another who started brightly with some decent carries, but similar to Moriarty, he probably didn't offer enough in the tight. Could be offset if there was a hard working 6 alongside him, but was replaced early with Faletau who made an impact I thought.
09 Mike Phillips : started brightly, with some good clearing box kicks. Struggled behind a retreating pack, but also looked a little slow. At fault for Cave's try? Seemed to drift out far too early, leaving a big hole down the middle for a soft try.
10 James Hook : very mixed, as has become the norm from Hook really. Some nice touches, but some glaring mistakes too. Difficult for him behind a beaten pack, but didn't help himself with some wayward kicking out of hand, heaping pressure back on Wales at times. Also at fault for Earl's try, putting Walker in a world of trouble with a man and ball pass.
11 Eli Walker : busy all night, really looking for work. Did some nice things, some not so nice! I feel he's still regaining form after his injury woes.
12 Scott Williams : really didn't impress me today. Some basic errors, and was part of some lackluster midfield defense.
13 Tyler Morgan : too early yet, but showed glimpses of what he may be capable of in a couple of years time. Needs to work on his defense and cut out the mistakes.
14 Alex Cuthbert : Played as he has done for most of last season. Wasn't half as prominent as Walker, even before his switch to center.
15 Hallam Amos : Looked threatening with ball in hand. Put under early aerial pressure where he struggled, but generally a decent showing from the young man.
16 Rob Evans : made an impact when he came on, really carried well. The scrum was still under pressure though.
17 Kristian Dacey : decent first cap, looked busy and didn't let anyone down. Doubt he's done enough to make the squad though.
18 Scott Andrews : much of a muchness to Jarvis really. A little more in the loose, but another shaky scrummager.
19 James King : came on at second row, not in his preferred blindside position. Went ok, but didn't have a big impact on the game.
20 Taulupe Faletau : helped a little, but still playing on the backfoot. Some good carries. Still easily our first choice.
21 Lloyd Williams : helped speed up the game with far more zip than Phillips. Had to deal with poor ball most of the time with Ireland managing to disrupt Welsh ruck ball all night.
22 Gareth Anscombe : this was the first time watching Anscombe that I thought he looked international quality. Thought he had a big positive impact, directing play well with some good distribution, and varied his play with some good running. Lovely pass to find Cuthbert at the death. Outplayed Hook.
23 Matthew Morgan : looked like the most dangerous Welsh player after coming on, but his performance was also riddled with mistakes. Probably tried to push things a little too much, which was maybe understandable given the scoreline. If he get's another chance, he needs to show he can also play in a more measured way.
In summary, those who I thought improved their chances of a squad place: Tipuric, Walker (just), Amos, Evans, Faletau, Lloyd Williams, Anscombe, Matthew Morgan (just).
Those who I thought reduced their chances: Hibbard, Jarvis (who else though), Phillips, Hook, Scott Williams (again, who else), Cuthbert.
The rest probably stayed about the same. I'm undecided about Moriarty, tempted to put him in the negative pile, but I've retained that for the more experienced players who should have been the ones lifting the side.
