Scotland player ratings vs France - Autumn Nations Cup
Scotland player ratings: Scotland came into this match seeking to win a six Tests in a row, the feat only accomplished twice since 1900.
It was always going to be a tall order against a French side in fine form, but this was game they will feel they could have won.
Here are our Scotland player ratings:
15. STUART HOGG – 6/10
Was a threat every time he got near the advantage line, and the frustration at times is that he doesn’t get that opportunity as often as one would like to see. Kicking the ball dead at the end wasn’t a fair reflection on his overall game and he was clearly beating himself at the final whistle. It cost Scotland a shot at the draw.
14. BLAIR KINGHORN – 5
Had to work hard to deny Vakatawa a ninth-minute try and dropped off an early tackle on the rapid Vincent Rattez. He couldn’t stop Vakatawa on his way to the line after halftime, albeit coming across on thankless mission to stop the outside centre. He does break tackles though.
13. CHRIS HARRIS – 5
Struggled to contain the aforementioned Vakatawa. Relentless effort in defence all day, but never truly threatened in attack. Scotland’s midfield simply isn’t firing offensively with the current pairing.
12. SAM JOHNSON – 5
Typically solid in defence, but too often his crash-balls simply signal the end of a Scotland move, as opposed to heralding the start of one.
11. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE – 6
Made a statement running over Teddy Thomas. Needs to work on post-contract ball protection, as he fell victim to the French poachers on more than one occasion. Caught out in the 48th. A tremendous athlete, but his game craft needs work.
10. DUNCAN WEIR – 7
His kick-offs, in particular, stood out in their excellence, if maybe his tactical kicking was a mixed bag at times. Didn’t shirk his defensive duties and linked well with backline when he did choose to bring the ball to the line.
9. ALI PRICE – 5.5
His service speed was noticeably dialled up, at least in the opening minutes. Caught napping for France’s try after halftime that took the Scottish defence off guard.
1. OLI KEBBLE – 6
Having impressed from the bench in recent Tests, Kebble came in for the injured Rory Sutherland. Getting monstered by a French scrum just before halftime will have hurt. He gets around the pitch well for a big unit.
2. FRASER BROWN – 6
A heroic effort to stop a sure French try in the 57th minute. Two penalties conceded blotted his copybook.
3. SIMON BERGHAN – 5
Held up well at the scrum baring one monstering. Conceded one breakdown penalty but generally kept himself out of trouble.
4. SCOTT CUMMINGS – 6.5
Imperious in the lineout, the athletic lock was everywhere. He was one of a number of Scottish players whose ball security cost the team in attack, albeit in greasy conditions.
5. JONNY GRAY – 6
Lead the Scottish pack in not giving an inch against the French. Constantly in the wars, sustaining a massive impact from Camille Chat to the chops.
6. JAMIE RITCHIE – 6
Maybe a slightly less hectic 80 minutes then we’re used to from Ritchie. A big hit on Alldritt summed up an attritional days work for the blindside.
7. HAMISH WATSON – 7
Lead Scotland’s kick chase, a dominant turnover tackle on Vincent Rattez standing out. It would be a travesty if he isn’t Lion in seven months time.
8. MATT FAGERSON – 8
Returning to the fray at No.8, Fagerson had a job of work in front of him and he was made to fight for every centimetre against massive French defenders. He refused to give up and increasing found holes in the French defence as the game wore on.
REPLACEMENTS – 4
Late lineout malfunctions at the hands of Sam Skinner and George Turner cost Scotland dearly. Sean Maitland and Zander Fagerson added impetus when they came on.
Too many 4s and 5s here with Ireland's attack toothless#ENGvIRE #AutumnNationsCuphttps://t.co/PaZldZEkAo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 21, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments