Ulster back row Nick Timoney brought a new lease of life to Ireland’s attack in the second half. The 30-year-old has featured 10 times for the Ulstermen this campaign, winning eight of these matches. His efforts in the URC this season resonated on the international stage, grabbing a try after some quick thinking from the base.

Timoney hasn’t been an Irish regular by any means, running out on Saturday for only his seventh cap in emerald green, but Timoney certainly rose to the challenge and has now firmly thrown his hat in the ring as a solid option at flanker for Farrell and co.

Tommaso Menoncello left everything out there as Italy took down Scotland in a statement 18-15 victory in treacherous conditions in Rome. The Benetton midfielder was influential all game, giving Italy a firm platform with an early try before being resolute in defence for the full 80 minutes.

Menoncello beat four, the joint-most in the match with Scottish wing Jamie Dobie, and he also led the game in metres made (103m), placing him third over the whole of Round 1.

Despite coming out on the wrong side of a tight affair in Rome, no.8 Jack Dempsey had an outstanding game in torrential conditions. 

Dempsey led the way in carries over the entirety of round 1, clocking 21 in total at a very wet Stadio Olimpico. His brute force in contact carried him over the whitewash, scoring Scotland’s first try of the afternoon by beating two defenders from close range. Dempsey’s 26 post contact metres ranked him as fourth over the whole weekend, and first in this match specifically.