Scotland player ratings vs Wales - Six Nations Super Saturday
Scotland made four changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s Six Nations finale against Wales in Llanelli, with Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell among those restored to the XV following last weekend’s Murrayfield win over Georgia.
The game was always going to be a significantly bigger task than their thumping of Georgia, but this was maybe the strongest Scotland team that head coach Gregor Townsend has ever had the opportunity to select from.
Yet Scotland won for just the second time on Welsh soil in the history of the Six Nations.
SCOTLAND PLAYER RATINGS
15. STUART HOGG (CAPTAIN) – 7
The windy conditions made kicking a lottery and Hogg was hardly immune. Continues to be Scotland’s premier attacking weapon with ball in hand, seemingly beating Wales’ defenders at will.
14. DARCY GRAHAM – 5.5
An early fumble from a poor pass was an innocuous start for the Edinburgh flyer. Biggar appeared to be targetting him with the high ball, and his case wasn’t helped playing into the sun in the first half – but he survived. Smashed through the tackle of Rhys Patchell in the second half. Four turnovers conceded blotted his copybook.
13. CHRIS HARRIS – 6
Not a highlight-reel performance but he carried well throughout and was a defensive brick wall in the midfield.
12. JAMES LANG – 5
Truth be told the Harlequin struggled to make a mark in his first Six Nations start and looked like a player a little too eager not to make a mistake.
11 BLAIR KINGHORN – 6
Largely kept in check by Wales’ press defence. An unconverted half-chance in the first half maybe summed up a game in which the rangey winger failed to ignite.
10 FINN RUSSELL – 6
Something of a mixed bag for Finn. Opted for and missed an early kick at posts in blustery conditions but made plenty of opportunities for those around him, although sometimes said teammates struggled to keep with the Racing 92 man’s schemes. Hobbled off, worryingly for Scotland.
9. ALI PRICE – 7.5
A tidy service from the Glasgow Warriors man. His box kicking was sharp but you would have liked to see a few more of the breaks that littered his early Scotland career.
1 RORY SUTHERLAND – 6.5
Pinged early for collapsing, with referee Andrew Brace clearly eager to stamp his authority on the set-piece. His explosiveness with ball in hand saw him bag 18 metres from 3 carries in the first 40 minutes, a fine return for a loosehead.
Scotland win in Wales #SixNations #England #Wales pic.twitter.com/70cQ73cVUx
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2020
2 FRASER BROWN – 5
Lineouts were a nightmare for both sides. Victim of an awful ‘no arms’ tackle decision against him, but overall a rather error-ridden performance for the hooker.
3 ZANDER FAGERSON – 6.5
Popping Rhys Carré in the 25th minute was a highlight at set-piece. Made 18 metres from 4 carries in the first half, which spoke to his increasingly prominent role as go-to metre maker in traffic.
4 SCOTT CUMMINGS – 6.5
Was one of a number of Scottish forwards who struggled to make inroads despite having the lion’s share of possession in the first half. Did a fine job at the lineout.
5 JONNY GRAY – 6
The Exeter Chief had a relatively quiet outing by his own high standards. No doubt central to a dogged Scottish fightback.
6. JAMIE RITCHIE – 7.5
Pretty anonymous opening 36 minutes given his growing reputation as Test blindside, that is before making a trademark, telling turnover in front of his own try line to relieve pressure. Grew into the match in the second half and won the BBC Man of the Match.
7. HAMISH WATSON – 7
One of the few Scottish forwards that did make a dent in the red wall. Played his part in a meaty Scottish performance.
8. BLADE THOMSON – 6
The Scarlet will have been eager to make an impression on his home ground. Seemed to injure himself putting in a massive defensive hit in the 52nd minute. He’s an excellent lineout option but he’s yet to prove he’s Scotland’s answer at No.8.
SUBSTITUTES:
16 STUART MCINALLY – 7.5
A slimmed-down McInally definitely brought plenty of kinetic energy to the contest. The benefactor from an unstoppable maul on the 61st minute.
17 OLI KEBBLE – 6.5
The giant South African made his Six Nations debut in the 53rd minute. Used his mass to help win a massive scrum in the 70th minute.
18 SIMON BERGHAN – 6
Scotland’s scrum seemed to benefit from the full front row swap. Berghan can take some of that credit.
19. BEN TOOLIS
NA
20. CORNELL DU PREEZ – 6
Came on for Blade Thomson in the 53rd minute but didn’t improve on the New Zealander’s innings.
21. SCOTT STEELE – 7
Came on for a debut on the right-wing. A big ask for the young man but he delivered.
22. ADAM HASTINGS – 7.5
Insisted on kicking despite the conditions making it a tricky skill. Picked up a shoulder knock in defence early in the second half but he found holes in the Welsh defence that weren’t there in the first half.
23. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE -7.5
Did enough to spook Leigh Halfpenny into a rare knock-on and the big man carried hard in his cameo.
Comments on RugbyPass
Those who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
1 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
14 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
110 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
110 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
1 Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
1 Go to commentsgreat article - although I can’t help wonder whether the more relevant debate over coming years will be between Ford and Fin Smith!
31 Go to comments