Scotland player ratings vs France | 2023 Summer Nations Series
Scotland player ratings: Scotland overcame a 18-point half-time deficit to see off a largely second-string France at Murrayfield. The visitors scored three first-half tries and led 21-3 at the break, but a second-half comeback made it two Rugby World Cup warm-up wins from two games for Gregor Townsend’s side.
Darcy Graham was again integral to the second-half revival, while there were strong showings from some big men off the bench. The two teams will meet again in St Etienne in a week’s time, and Scotland can expect Fabien Galthie to roll out his first-choice XV for that one.
Here’s how the Scotland players rated in a game of two halves:
15. Blair Kinghorn – 7
The Edinburgh man was named the official man of the match, and he combined well with Russell after the break after a tricky opening 40 minutes.
14. Darcy Graham – 8.5
Dragged Scotland back into the contest after the break with some outrageous footwork and a poacher’s finish for his try. Not many in world rugby are on better form than the Hawick man.
13. Huw Jones – 6.5
Looked a bit rusty as he was beaten for pace by debutant Louis Bielle-Biarrey as Couilloud scored. Some lovely touches in attack to set Scotland away after the interval.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6.5
Six first-half tackles and only one carry symptomatic of Scotland being on the back foot for much of the opening 40 minutes. His direct carrying helped get the hosts front foot ball and was a major factor in their second-half revival.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7.5
Always looks threatening with the ball in hand, but was lucky not to get caught running across his own posts in the first half. Quieter after the break as his wing colleague took the limelight.
10. Finn Russell – 7.5
Brought his usual calm as he captained Scotland for the first time. Was well marshalled in the first half but really got the attack firing after the break. Made bold calls to go to the corner with Scotland chasing the game, but sensibly took the points late on to seal victory.
9. Ben White – 5
An ankle injury forced the scrum-half off after half an hour, but he was also on the receiving end of a high shot from Bielle-Biarrey. A real worry as the new Toulon man has been one of Scotland’s finds of the season.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7
Had the better of Demba Bamba at the scrum, and his carrying into the French front five helped with the second-half turnaround. Deserved his score.
2. Ewan Ashman – 5
Just a second Test start for the former Sale hooker, but in a competitive position selection-wise, failed to take his chance. Lineout wobbled at key moments and didn’t really have an impact with the ball in hand.
3. Zander Fagerson – 4
Initially given yellow for a reckless head-first charge into a ruck Scotland had already won. Upgraded to a red card, and his World Cup must now be in serious doubt. Issues with discipline far too often spoil otherwise decent outings.
4. Richie Gray – 5
Did well to spoil some French lineout ball but wasn’t able to impose himself in the way he did during the Six Nations.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
Nine tackles and five carries from the Edinburgh man, who was the more effective of the second rows with the ball in hand.
6. Matt Fagerson – 6.5
One of two survivors from the Italy win, with Graham, but looks more comfortable at number eight than on the flank. However, he worked tirelessly and led Scotland’s tackle count with 15, while also contributing nine carries.
7. Hamish Watson – 5
Another of Scotland’s Lions who has endured a real dip in form. Bulldozed debutant centre Gailleton but caught ball watching and then out of position as Bielle-Biarrey scored. Ineffective at the breakdown, and his place in the team must be under pressure from Darge.
8. Jack Dempsey – 7
Worked hard but wasn’t able to get Scotland on the front foot and lucky not to be punished for a loose offload inside the first quarter that found Jalibert. Charged into the French with a huge carry off the second-half kick-off.
Replacements:
16. Dave Cherry – 7
Charged straight into the French from a quick-tap penalty moments after coming on. Former Stade Nicois man played like he’d a point to prove and took his try well to put Scotland ahead.
Jamie Bhatti – 6
Another who threw himself about in his cameo. Finished with four carries, picking up from where Schoeman left off.
WP Nel – 6
There surely won’t be many more Murrayfield outings for the veteran tighthead as he nears the end of his career. Did his job at the set-piece and chipped in with seven tackles, the most of any of the bench.
Scott Cummings – N/A
On for Gilchrist inside the closing stages and no real time to make an impact.
Rory Darge – 6.5
Led the team against Italy and replaced Watson for the final quarter here. Another decent showing in these warm-up games could see him propelled into Townsend’s first XV.
George Horne – 7
On for the injured White on 30 minutes. While he didn’t have much impact in the first half, the Glasgow man added real spark after the break. Runs great lines and always available for an offload.
Cam Redpath – 5
On for Tuipulotu for the final quarter today but didn’t really impact the proceedings until he secured the turnover that won the game.
Ollie Smith – N/A
Unused
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments