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Scotland player ratings vs France | Six Nations 2022
Scotland player ratings: Scotland were unable to derail France’s dreams of a Grand Slam as the visitors recorded a bonus point win at Murrayfield.
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Tries from Willemse, Yoram Moefana, Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty and a Damien Penaud double sealed victory for the outstanding visitors.
Scotland’s tries came from the excellent Rory Darge on his first start, and a consolation from Duhan van der Merwe, but it was another day of disappointment for Gregor Townsend’s side.
A campaign that started so promisingly with a Calcutta Cup triumph over England now threatens to yield just two wins.
Here’s how the Scotland players performed.
15. Stuart Hogg – 6
A day where very little went the skipper’s way. Dropped a clanger with the line at his mercy in the first half and couldn’t regather his own chip after the break. Battled gamely, but unable to drag his side back into the game.
14 Darcy Graham – 6.5
Outstanding catch from Hogg’s restart to get Scotland’s first attacking chance. Outmuscled by Penaud as Moefana scored, but was probably – again – Scotland’s most dangerous attacker.
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13. Chris Harris – 5
Another quiet showing in attack, but some good hands that should have put Hogg away. Off at half-time.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 5
Showed some lovely touches against Wales but this week wasn’t able to have the same impact as his opposite number Danty.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6.5
Kept quiet in the first two games but made a pair of electric breaks in the first half, both creating opportunities out of nothing. Deserved his late consolation score.
10. Finn Russell – 5
An erratic display, not for the first time. His aimless kick allowed Dupont space for the opening French try. A dropped ball as Scotland attack and bounced by Danty in the build-up to the visitors’ third score. On the back foot for the second half and hooked after an hour.
France remain on course for the Grand Slam ? #SixNations #SCOvFRA pic.twitter.com/CRLG0OGdq5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 26, 2022
9. Ali Price – 5
A real mixed bag: Unlucky not to score himself, and a lovely break on 48 minutes, but wasn’t able to stop Fickou on the stroke of half-time. A moment of indecision costly inside the opening two minutes of the second period.
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1. Pierre Schoeman – 6.5
The Edinburgh prop was the pick of the starting front five. Battled hard – made six carries as he attempted to take the game to the visitors, and held his own against the giant Atonio.
2. Stuart McInally – 5
Scrum and lineout was solid against a much-vaunted French pack. Contributed five carries in his 55 minutes, but only two tackles with Scotland largely on the back foot.
3. Zander Fagerson – 6
Held his own against Baille, one of the world’s best looseheads, but nowhere near the same impact around the field. Made the most carries in the front five before he went off.
4. Sam Skinner – 5
Back in the second row today, where he looks most comfortable at this level. Some powerful carrying in close quarters, and four tackles in the first half.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 5
Lineout was effective on his watch, while he added four first half tackles. Often used as a decoy carrier to get the backs away, and linked with Russell well there.
6. Nick Haining – 4
Not the same impact as Jamie Ritchie, who is badly missed. Should’ve put Duhan van der Merwe away and will be disappointed to have let Fickou on his outside to score. Didn’t have the required impact at the breakdown.
7. Rory Darge – 7.5
Capped his outstanding first start with a first Test try. Add to that four excellent turnovers, plus the Glasgow man led the way in defence. Stripped of the ball as Penaud scored the visitors’ fifth.
The 'Darge Barge' ?#SCOvFRA | Credit: @SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/SPxliOmCVC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 26, 2022
8. Magnus Bradbury – 6
His first Test start for two years and looked back close to his best. Did his best to win Scotland the gain line
REPLACEMENTS:
16. George Turner – 5
On for McInally for the final 25 minutes but unable to have any impact. Lineout also endured a couple of wobbles
17. Oli Kebble – 5
On for the final quarter to replace Schoeman. Made a couple of carries.
18. WP Nel – 5
The veteran replaced Fagerson for the final 25 minutes.
19. Jamie Hodgson – 5
Edinburgh lock on for club-mate Gilchrist to earn a second cap after autumn debut. Put in the hard yards.
20. Andy Christie – 4
Saracens man, a late addition to the bench, on early in the second half for injured Haining. A difficult debut as the French took control. Strong in contact but unable to shore up the breakdown.
21. Ben White – 5
Also on inside the first 10 minutes of the second half as Price departed for a HIA. Returned late on but unable to add any spark.
22. Blair Kinghorn – 5.5
Picked off the French defenders well to free van der Merwe in a cameo that had been quiet until that point.
23. Mark Bennett – 6.5
Added a spark in the midfield when he came on at the break for his first cap since the 2018 summer tour. On a tough day, one of few positives.
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments