Scotland player ratings vs Ireland | 2023 Guinness Six Nations
Scotland player ratings: Scotland were denied a first Triple Crown since 1990 as Ireland continued their quest for a Grand Slam with victory at Murrayfield.
The home side were arguably the better side in the opening 40 minutes and perhaps should have been in front going in at the break.
Scotland were off the pace after the resumption and the game got away from them in the third quarter. Not for the first time this campaign, Gregor Townsend will be disappointed with the impact provided from the bench.
Scotland’s dreams of a first-ever Six Nations success are over for another year. This championship will be another where Scots rue chances missed and opportunities lost. Scotland are now likely to finish third, even with a bonus point win over Italy on Super Saturday.
Here’s how the Scottish players performed.
15. Stuart Hogg – 6
Found space at a premium on his 100th cap and was well marshalled by the Irish defence – including a great read by James Lowe. Replaced with a quarter of an hour to go.
14. Kyle Steyn – 5
Limited opportunities in attack and was caught numbers down when Lowe scored his try.
13. Huw Jones – 6.5
An excellent first half capped with a fine try – his fourth of the championship – but wasn’t able to replicate that after the break.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 7
A contender for Scotland’s player of the championship. Another brilliant assist – his third in this Six Nations – for Jones’ try and caused Sexton problems when Scotland decided to go route one in midfield and added his power to the defensive effort.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 5
A difficult day for the big winger despite his obvious attacking strengths as he was culpable for at least two Irish tries. Tried everything to deny Hansen in the first half, but failed to get off the ground for a high ball in the run-up to Lowe’s try as Hansen soared above him, then Picked the wrong man as Sexton put Conan over.
10. Finn Russell – 6.5
Scotland needed their talisman to be at his very best and produced some magic in the first half to put his colleagues in space. Worryingly limped off late on.
Finn Russell kicks a perfect 40 metre+ touchfinder to put Scotland on the front foot ? #SixNations2023 pic.twitter.com/sDlyqCizHU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 12, 2023
9. Ben White – 6.5
Controlled the game in the first half well, but like the rest of his colleagues, fell away after the break.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7.5
An ever-willing carrier right into the heart of the Irish defence. When he departed on 54 minutes, he’d made twice as many carries (15) as Scotland’s next-best and finished as Scotland’s top carrier.
2. George Turner – 7
A few lineout issues early doors, including one from which Ireland thought they’d scored but he recovered well and made some thunderous tackles. Should have done better as Scotland attacked with the clock red for half-time.
3. Zander Fagerson – 6.5
While his prop pal was making more ground with ball in hand, Fagerson put a huge defensive shift in with 11 tackles in his 53 minutes. Felt like he departed too early.
4. Richie Gray – 5
Forced off after just half a dozen minutes on a frustrating afternoon. Put Murray under pressure at the first ruck and made a good carry into the Irish midfield, but picked up a knock and went off shortly after.
5. Jonny Gray – 6
Back in the starting XV after a fine showing off the bench in Paris, the Exeter man led Scotland’s first half tackle count (12).
6. Matt Fagerson – 6
Shifted to the blindside and was industrious but didn’t hit the heights he has this campaign. Some good moments, but a wildly forward pass on 66 minutes – his last act before going off – summed up Scotland’s second half.
7. Jamie Ritchie – 5
Worked hard at the breakdown to slow the visitors down, but didn’t get much joy. A brave call to go to the corner on half-time.
8. Jack Dempsey – 7
A huge handoff on Hansen from the kick-off the tone for a terrific display. Made 60 metres with seven carries in the first half.
REPLACEMENTS
16. Fraser Brown – 4
Perhaps lucky to be back in after his lineout wobbles in Paris, and struggled badly in the same area today.
17. Jamie Bhatti – 4
On for Schoeman 53. Condeded a pen at their first scrum. Doesn’t contribute anything like the same around the field as the man he replaced. Picked off by Lowe as Ireland galloped clear for what should’ve been their bonus point score.
18. Simon Berghan – 5
Preferred to Nel – who is a superior scrummager – and was put under almost constant pressure at the set-piece. Four carries for 23m a decent return.
19. Scott Cummings – 6
Back in the squad and thrust into the action after just half a dozen minutes. Carried strongly in the build-up to Scotland’s opening score. Chipped in with 10 tackles.
20. Hamish Watson – 5
On for the final quarter of an hour but looks off-colour and didn’t impact the game.
21. Ali Price – 5
Another of Scotland’s 2021 Lions who looks a good way short of his best. Didn’t have much impact after coming on.
22. Blair Kinghorn – 5
His most telling contributions were a couple of half-breaks from his own 22.
23.Chris Harris – N/A
Only used for the last play. A strange bench selection in a game that was either going to be tight if Scotland were to win, or would’ve required some magic to change the game.
Comments on RugbyPass
Beautiful 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 …
30 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!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 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.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to comments