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Scotland player ratings vs Argentina | Quilter Nations Series 2025
By Bryn Palmer at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Scotland player ratings: Scotland suffered a demoralising defeat by Argentina as the Pumas hit back from 21-0 down to ransack Murrayfield with five tries in the last 25 minutes for a stunning 33-24 victory.
The Scots had spoken before this Quilter Nations Series about finding a ‘killer instinct’ against the world’s elite but after failing to take New Zealand’s scalp when well placed last weekend, this will leave arguably even more of a bitter taste.
A first defeat in five Murrayfield meetings with Argentina since 2009 also ended their hopes of achieving a top-six world ranking – and a place in the first tier of seeds – before the RWC2027 draw on 3 December, as they will not get any rankings boost even if they conclude their autumn campaign by beating Tonga next Sunday.
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Here is how the Scotland players fared:
15. Blair Kinghorn – 6
Saw plenty of the ball in the first half, stretching those long leavers to good effect, and took most of the high balls the Pumas launched in his direction, although couldn’t hold onto a couple. But could never quite escape and earned a team yellow card after 54 minutes for repeated infringements as Scotland scrambled desperately after Russell’s pass was intercepted.
14. Darcy Graham – 7
On his 50th cap, burst into space onto Hutchinson’s slick pass early on but his reverse pass to the supporting Dobie was knocked down by Mallia, earning the Pumas full-back a yellow card. Also took a Russell high bomb superbly but few chances to add to his 34 Test tries with his most telling interventions coming in defence, one man-and-ball tackle on Matteo Carreras forcing a turnover and winning another vital turnover penalty on the floor just after the hour, which Russell kicked.
13. Rory Hutchinson – 7
After a strong showing on just his sixth Test start in six years against the All Blacks, the Northampton centre again dove-tailed well with Tuipulotu in midfield. One lovely pass to release Graham on an early break showed his class and was Scotland’s top carrier with 13 when he made way for Van der Merwe after 64 minutes, with Steyn moving to centre.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 5.5
Big tackle to force a turnover in Scotland’s 22 as Argentina threatened a first-half try, his line speed led a strong defensive effort for the first hour. Acted as a pivot between Russell and Hutchinson but not on the ball as much as Scotland might have liked and couldn’t lead his team out of trouble in a horror final quarter.
11. Kyle Steyn – 6.5
Denied a try in the left corner early on by some scrambling Pumas defence and not quite his usual authority in the air, with a couple of high balls eluding his grasp. A couple of vital defensive interventions and moved to outside centre for the final 16 minutes. Tried manfully to prevent Matera’s fourth try for Argentina, but to no avail.
10. Finn Russell – 6
Found his passing range early, with a beautifully-timed ball to put Dempsey through a hole for the opening try. But needless floated long pass to a lone Steyn, when Scotland appeared poised for a fourth try, was picked off, sparking a mad defensive scramble which led to Kinghorn’s yellow card, the Pumas’ first try and a huge momentum shift. Kicked well from hand, and four from four at goal including a long-range penalty. Also showed his bravery in defence, with one big hit on Chocobares drawing warm applause.
9. Jamie Dobie – 6.5
A late call-up into the side after Ben White was ruled out with illness, the versatile Glasgow back, on his fourth Test start at scrum-half, was neat and tidy with his service, the speed and length of his passing giving Russell time to play. Put Ashman over for both his tries. Some of his box-kicks were a little long, but sniped well on occasion.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7.5
Plenty of energy from the barrell-shaped prop as usual, always on hand for a carry through the hard yards, including an important one in the build-up to Ashman’s second try, and put in 19 tackles in defence. Scrummaged well, forcing one penalty, though conceded one for not rolling away at a ruck.
2. Ewan Ashman – 8
Quiet early on but sprang to life in the second quarter, picking a sharp angle to take Dobie’s pass and clatter through two tacklers to score his first try. His second was even better, making the initial bust and offload to Schoeman, before finishing off the move to score his 12th Test try, meaning he has now scored more tries for Scotland than any other forward, surpassing John Jeffrey, Derek White and fellow hookers Stuart McInally and George Turner. Also nailed his lineout darts in an assured display.
3. D’Arcy Rae – 6
After a solid second Test start against New Zealand, Rae had a busy first half-hour here with a few carries into traffic, a neat tip-on pass and half-a-dozen tackles. Held his own at the scrum too but had just conceded an offside penalty (which Mallia missed) when he limped off after 32 minutes.
4. Scott Cummings – 7
Increasingly influential presence for Scotland, carrying hard through contact and showing soft hands in attack. At the heart of a major defensive operation, topping the tackle count with 24, one of three Scots to put in 20 or more. Also took his fair share of ball at lineout.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
A typical grafting shift from the veteran lock, doing plenty of grunt work, making 20 tackles and marshalling an efficient lineout operation, before making way for Bayliss for the last eight minutes.
6. Gregor Brown – 5
Took an early lineout and appeared to be continuing the strong impression he made against the All Blacks when he was forced off after just seven minutes for an HIA, and did not return.
7. Rory Darge – 5.5
Having made his return from injury off the bench against New Zealand, the openside was back from the start here and gave the Scotland back row a better balance. One important pilfer in his 22 denied a dangerous Pumas attack. Made good ground around the fringes with ball in hand and put in 19 tackles but couldn’t stem the tide at the breakdown late on.
8. Jack Dempsey – 6.5
Powered onto Russell’s pass to streak away for only his second Scotland try, in his 29th Test, and again he carried hard with purpose, if not quite as consistently influential as against New Zealand. But put in a mammoth defensive shift, with 23 tackles.
Replacements:
16. George Turner – N/A
Only on for the final 10 minutes, and could do little to stem the bleeding.
17. Nathan McBeth – N/A
Didn’t make it off the bench as Schoeman played the full 80.
18. Elliot Millar Millas – 6
On after 32 minutes for the injured Rae, the Northampton tighthead was an energetic presence in the loose and part of a strong scrummaging unit which earned one big second -half penalty. Also made a dozen tackles.
19. Josh Bayliss – N/A
On for Gilchrist for the final eight minutes, little time to make an impression.
20. Matt Fagerson – 5
On early after just seven minutes when Brown departed for an HIA, the back-rower couldn’t match his Glasgow team-mate in the ball-carrying department, with most of his work restricted to defensive duties, contributing 18 tackles to the cause.
21. George Horne – N/A
Stayed on the bench.
22. Tom Jordan – N/A
Replaced Graham for the final minute.
23. Duhan van der Merwe – 4
Omitted for the first time in his Scotland career against New Zealand, the country’s joint-top try-scorer was given the last 16 minutes but made no impact of note.
