Scotland player ratings vs England | Six Nations 2022
Scotland player ratings: Scotland recorded consecutive wins over England for the first time since 1984 as a late Finn Russell penalty ensured they retained the Calcutta Cup at Murrayfield.
A try from debutant Ben White put Scotland 10-6 ahead at the break and despite Marcus Smith crossing, the home side mounted a late comeback to clinch it when Luke Cowan-Dickie slapped the ball off the field.
It was a pulsating contest in Edinburgh that went down to the wire, but the hosts marked Gregor Townsend’s 50th match in charge by getting their hands on the Calcutta Cup for the fourth time in five years.
Here’s how the Scotland players rated.
15. Stuart Hogg – 7
Caught twice kicking but looked dangerous when the hosts got the ball to the outside edge. Nearly a horror moment as he saved a 50:22 with Malins putting the pressure on.
14. Darcy Graham – 8.5
Cut England open with a lovely angle as he collected Russell’s pass and put White away for the game’s opening score. Repeated the feat as the game broke up in the second half. Also made an important defensive intervention to hold up a maul as it charged over Scotland’s line and won the turnover to end the game. Caught in two minds at the start of the second half before going off his feet 5m out but did so well to get in the air as Cowan-Dickie infringed.
13. Chris Harris – 6.5
A day for defence – ready-made for the Gloucester man who denied England space to get to the outside and kept Daly and Slade quiet. No opportunities to show his ever-improving attacking game.
12. Sam Johnson – 5
Not a single carry in the first half with Scotland asked to do most of the tackling, but one nice to touch at first receiver allowed Russell space to set Scotland away out wide. Unable to repeat his try-scoring heroics of Twickenham 2019 before he was replaced on the hour.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7.5
Glimpses of his ability in broken field that Scotland could should have made better use of. Looks more comfortable under the high ball.
10. Finn Russell – 7
Made the most of his first attacking chance to put Graham through for Scotland’s try despite the attentions of Itoje. To the rescue defensively moments later as England hacked through.
9. Ali Price – 6.5
On the back foot during his 12 minutes before his head injury, but returned with replacement White having put Scotland in front.
1. Rory Sutherland – 5
He hasn’t played a lot after a red card for Worcester, and looked rusty. Was caught at the edge of a ruck which nearly put the visitors away.
2. George Turner – 6
Like his front-row colleague, just one carry in the opening 40 minutes, but nine out of nine lineouts in what can be a problem area.
3. Zander Fagerson – 6
The concession of two free kicks and a penalty at the first scrum would’ve been a worry but he recovered well. Made 12 tackles and seemed to have cut out the off-the-ball nonsense.
4. Jonny Gray – 6.5
The Exeter man missed the autumn through injury but back in the team, he contributed 12 tackles. However, guilty of pulling Ben Youngs into a ruck – a penalty from which England went in front.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
Another go-to man for Townsend who runs the lineout and adds physicality to the pack. An assured showing that included 10 tackles and a 100% lineout record.
6. Jamie Ritchie – 6.5
Not at his best but was Scotland’s go-to man in the lineout and made seven tackles before injury forced him off on the hour. An important player for Scotland – Townsend will hope he’s available for the rest of the championship.
7. Hamish Watson – 6
Driven back by Lions colleague Itoje with his only first-half carry and wasn’t able to get into the game after the break as England dominated. Well negated by the visitors at the breakdown.
8. Matt Fagerson – 8
Under pressure for his place but showed he’s up to the rigours of Test rugby. Led the tackle count in a staunch defensive effort including a textbook hit on Slade.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Stuart McInally – 6.5
On for Turner for the final half hour and added spark in the loose and played his part at the scrum.
17. Pierre Schoeman – 7
Replaced Sutherland on 50 mins and showed his power in the tight. Dismissed Genge with one carry.
18. WP Nel – 6.5
The veteran gave Marler some difficulties at the scrum and helped win the match-winning penalty.
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19. Sam Skinner – 6
On for the final quarter of an hour for Exeter mate Gray and made one outstanding midfield carry to put Scotland on the front foot. The penalty try came a phase later.
20. Magnus Bradbury – 6
Areturn to the international fold for the in-form Edinburgh man, who replaced his striken club colleague Ritchie. Added his heft to the back-row and claimed a vital lineout late on.
21. Ben White – 7
Marked his debut – and early introduction after Price’s injury – with a try. Rewarded for running a wonderful support line asa Graham put the London Irish man away. Added spark when he returned for the final 15 minutes.
22. Blair Kinghorn – N/A
Unused.
23. Sione Tuipulotu – 6
Replaced Johnson for the final quarter but no opportunities with the game dominated by two packs in the closing stages.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to comments