Scotland player ratings vs France | 2024 Guinness Six Nations
Scotland player ratings: Scotland led for 69 minutes at Murrayfield but ultimately ended up rueing their failure to close out another tight contest, having prevailed by a point in Cardiff last week.
They might have won it at the end, but after four minutes of deliberation by the TMO, were denied a winning try despite it appearing replacement Sam Skinner had forced the ball down over the line.
Here is how the players fared:
15. Harry Paterson – 7.5
With Kyle Steyn’s wife going into labour on the eve of the game, Paterson was thrown straight in for his Test debut after just eight senior outings with Edinburgh. His bright pink boots made him stand out even further but looked at home on the big stage. Dealt with high balls well, kicked long and accurately, and played a key part in White’s try with a lovely fend and inside pass to Jones.
14. Kyle Rowe – 6
Moved back to his familiar wing beat after a promising first Test start against Wales last week, the game rarely came Rowe’s way and had precious few chances to show his wares until two minutes from time, when his stunning break-out almost brought late salvation for the Scots.
13. Huw Jones – 6.5
Brilliant, instinctive pass to release Ben White for his try illustrated his attacking prowess, albeit he wasted an earlier attack with a delayed pass to Darge. Good footwork early in the second half to weave his way out of trouble and another solid contribution in defence.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6
Played a part in White’s try with a familiar wraparound move outside Russell and half-a-dozen hard carries in midfield got his side on the front foot, but couldn’t quite influence the game as much as he might have liked.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 5.5
Came off his left wing to make the extra man in the attack that led to White’s try, but didn’t have the ball in his hands enough from a Scottish point of view. Well shackled by the French defence, and made one excellent cover tackle to collar Fickou after the centre’s coruscating break.
10. Finn Russell – 7.5
His game management was sound in the main, keeping France pinned back with the length and variety of his kicking game, and it was the co-captain’s persistence that won the ball back in the final knockings that almost led to a winning try. 100% off the tee for a second successive week with four from four.
9. Ben White – 7
Another strong outing from the Toulon scrum-half, who ran a superb support line to finish off a brilliant move for his fourth Test try, and carried out his duties from the base with an increasing air of authority to take some of the load off Russell.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 6.5
Carried hard in the tight exchanges and his tackle count was into double figures for a second week in a row. Competed well against Atonio at scrum-time, holding his end up well.
2. George Turner – 6
Forced off for an HIA in the first half but returned to the fray and performed well at the set-piece, finding his target on 11 out of 12 occasions at the lineout before giving way to Ashman with 12 minutes left.
3. Zander Fagerson – 7.5
Another powerful display from the Glasgow tighthead, who gave the Scots a solid platform at scrum-time, carried hard and made a dozen tackles. Showed his durability by going the full 80, with Millar-Mills left on the bench.
4. Grant Gilchrist – 6
Restored to the side in place of the injured Richie Gray, the experienced Edinburgh lock presided over a strong lineout display, taking a few throws himself, and grafted hard in the tight exchanges.
5. Scott Cummings – 7
Stepped up well in the absence of Gray and a dynamic presence at the lineout, a safe middle option on his own ball and a disruptor on France’s, stealing two opposition throws. One knock-on blotted his copybook with ball in hand, but a strong outing.
6. Matt Fagerson – 5
His head was on the receiving end of Atonio’s shoulder just before half-time, and failed to reappear after the interval. Grafted hard as ever, but struggled to impose himself on proceedings.
7. Rory Darge – 8
Making his return from a strained knee ligament after six weeks on the sidelines, the Glasgow flanker looked like he’d never been away, winning an early breakdown penalty and leading from the front on both sides of the ball. Finished as his side’s top carrier – with 13 – and tackler – also 13. Didn’t deserve to finish on the losing side.
8. Jack Dempsey – 6
Restored to the starting XV after being left on the bench in Cardiff, the Glasgow No.8 didn’t bring as much go-forward as Scotland might have hoped with his ball-carrying. But put in a full shift in defence with 12 tackles and continued to take the fight to the French until the end.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Ewan Ashman – 5
Had a gallop for 12 minutes in the first half when Turner departed for an HIA and on permanently for the last 12. One lost lineout and struggled to make an impact.
17. Alec Hepburn – NA
Took over from Schoeman for the final nine minutes but little chance to influence proceedings.
18. Elliot Millar-Mills – Not used
19. Sam Skinner – NA
Only on for the final six minutes, but nearly made the biggest of impressions when he appeared to force his way over for a winning try at the death, only for the TMO to deny him what would have been his first try for Scotland.
20. Andy Christie – 6.5
In prime form for Saracens this season, replaced Matt Fagerson at the interval and proved a useful source of lineout ball as well as contributing seven tackles, but few opportunities with ball in hand.
21. George Horne – Not used
22. Ben Healy – Not used
23. Cameron Redpath – NA
Replaced Huw Jones for the final three minutes. Too little time to have an impact.
Comments on RugbyPass
Don’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
41 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
41 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
41 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
39 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
1 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
4 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
41 Go to comments