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Scotland player ratings vs Ireland | 2022 Six Nations
Scottish player ratings: This was a battle of two teams very much on different sides of the Guinness Six Nations tracks.
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Ireland, despite a loss to France in Paris, were riding the crest of a Six Nations wave, with a potential championship still on the line.
Scotland on the other hand had fallen off the metaphorical wagon. After the euphoria of a victory over England in Murrayfield, they have been soundly beaten by both Wales and a dominant France, with just a single error-strewn victory over Italy to show since the accolades of their Round 1 win over the might of Eddie Jones’ men.
To make matters worse, it emerged this week that six players had to be internally disciplined following a boozy night out in Edinburgh in which they breached team protocols.
15. Stuart Hogg – 4.5
Held his nerve to deal with a Jamison Gibson-Park kick behind in the 12th minute. His 7.5/10 first-half performance was in stark contrast to his selfishly butchered 3-on-1 just after halftime. Typical of the game-breaking blunder that has littered his Test career. Frustrating.
14. Darcy Graham – 7.5
A brilliant start for Graham who made a 30 metre break up the pitch in the opening minutes, clearly thriving with the break-neck pace of the game. Irish pressure started to tell though and Graham wasn’t immune. Always looked threatening.
13. Chris Harris – 7.5
Scotland clearly came to play and no one exemplified that attitude more than Harris, who was running and gunning early doors in Dublin. Great energy from the Lion.
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12. Sam Johnson – 5.5
A couple of handling errors early but gave his usual workmanlike shift after that. Townsend clearly loves his defensive solidity and no-nonsense attacking game, even if the creativity isn’t quite there.
11. Kyle Steyn – 6
Gave away a coach killer penalty when engaging Mack Hansen early off a kick chase. Had a busy afternoon, but handled most tasks well.
10. Blair Kinghorn – 6
After recovering well from a wobbly early pass – the 6’5 flyhalf took the ball to the line well and distributing competently. Scuffed his only attempt at goal in the first half. A valuable experience for the would-be playmaker.
9. Ali Price – 5.5
Another one of the Scotland six who needed to a big game after getting ‘disciplined’ during the week. Was a mixed bag for Price, with uncharacteristic inaccuracies coughing up cheap ball for the Irish. His worst game of the tournament.
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1. Pierre Schoeman – 8.5
Created carnage in the Irish defence as a ball-carrier and matched Tadhg Furlong at scrum time. Scored a contentious try and managed to survive a TMO review on a trademark charge. You can’t ask more of a prop.
Ireland have done all they can, only one game remains ??#IREvSCO #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/lbMrswMXCT
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 19, 2022
2. George Turner – 5.5
Outshone by the rampaging Dan Sheehan, Turner had a solid if somewhat anonymous shift before being replaced by Fraser Brown.
3. Zander Fagerson – 6.5
Carried effectively around the ruck but struggled to hold Healy in the initial setpieces. Coughed up a few easy turnovers but his counter rucking caused problems for the Irish.
4. Jonny Gray – 5.5
An awkward collision with Graham wasn’t the best start for the returning lock. Looked a tad off Test match pace, which was understandable. Better in the second half but his decision to cover Gibson-Park opened the door for Josh van der Flier to score a crucial five-pointer.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
Another Scottish forward stricken by a severe case of butterfingers. The big man stayed in the fight though, with an important turnover just before halftime sticking out.
6. Rory Darge – 7
Carried well when he had occasion to get on the ball and scrambled well in defence. The find of the campaign for Gregor Townsend.
7. Hamish Watson – 6
This wasn’t vintage Hamish Watson. One of a number of Scotland’s pack who struggled to contain Ireland’s brutish tight game, which looked to go directly through the men in blue.
8. Matt Fagerson – 7
Lots of industry from Fagerson, who grew into the game and was a key figure in frustrating Ireland’s attack and delivering gainline for his own side.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Fraser Brown – 6
Side stepped by Sheehan but gave a decent account of himself after that.
17. Allan Dell – NA
Not on long enough to rate.
18. WP Nel – 4
His first act was to concede a scrum penalty. Gave another penalty after not listening to Barnes’ instructions on latching.
19. Sam Skinner – 6
Did his job after coming on for Gilchrist, a period in which Ireland made less gains through the middle.
20. Josh Bayliss – 6
Other than a bit of biff didn’t make much of an impact.
21. Ben White – 6
A decent service after coming on for Price.
22. Finn Russell – 7.5
Why didn’t Townsend bring him on the 60th minute when Scotland needed a different look? Had to wait another six minutes for Finn to start doing his thing. Whatever about his off-field dramas, Scotland had way more bite with the Racing 92 man in the pitch.
23. Mark Bennett – 4.5
Got monstered man and ball by Mack Hansen. Got stripped a few minutes later too. Not his day.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets 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?
10 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.
9 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.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
22 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
4 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.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments