Scotland player ratings vs Ireland | 2026 Guinness Men's Six Nations

Scotland player ratings: Scotland’s hopes of a first Triple Crown since 1990 and an outside shot at a first Six Nations title came to grief in familiar fashion with a record 12th successive defeat by Ireland.

Hoping to win to put pressure on France against England later on Saturday, the Scots rallied from a 19-7 interval deficit to close to within 26-21 on the hour after Rory Darge scored their third try, following earlier scores for Darcy Graham and Finn Russell.

But that was as close as they got as two more Irish tries condemned Scotland to another third-place finish – their third under Gregor Townsend – despite the promise of successive wins over England, Wales and France.

Here is how the Scotland players fared:

15. Blair Kinghorn – 6.5
Mostly secure under the high ball and gave a precise scoring pass to Graham for Scotland’s opener, but got sucked in defensively for Ireland’s third try, scored by Baloucoune. Used at front of lineout in a surprise tactical ploy but Ireland foiled the maul.

14. Darcy Graham – 7
Always lively. Extended his Scotland try-scoring record to 38 with a smart finish in the right corner early. Couldn’t prevent Baloucoune scoring despite manfully racing across from his wing. Some delightful footwork to evade three tacklers before being replaced on the hour.

13. Huw Jones – 6
A loose pass to ground that Tuipulotu could only knock on was symptomatic of a Scottish midfield that failed to fire in the first half. But far more involved after the interval, with a crucial offload in build-up to Darge try.

12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6
Struggled to influence the game in the manner he would have liked. A knock-on from Jones’ loose pass just before half-time was a sign of his frustration. But raised his game in second 40, saw plenty of ball in attack and brilliant pass to Steyn out wide helped create Darge try.

11. Kyle Steyn – 6.5
A few carries out wide and chased box-kicks hard as usual but not the same impact as in previous games in this championship. Escaped down left to help set up Darge try but Scotland needed him more involved.

10. Finn Russell – 7.5
Directed the 19 phases which led to the first try beautifully, a brilliant mis-pass to Turner on the left touchline and then a short ball to Kinghorn. Crabbed across field at times, losing ball in contact and had one kick charged down. But grew into game and scored his 11th Test try after a series of phases. Three from three from the tee to become just the fourth player to reach 500 points for Scotland.

9. Ben White – 5
The Toulon scrum-half struggled to have the same impact as he brought against France. Some of his box-kicks drifted too long, but a well-timed pass put Russell over for his try. One mini half-break but replaced by Horne early in the final quarter.

1. Pierre Schoeman – 6.5
Prominent with a dozen close-range carries and 12 tackles, bringing his usual energy to the party. Solid at scrum-time too before giving way to Sutherland for the final 11 minutes.

2. George Turner – 5
Several carries into contact early on and maintained his 100 per cent record at the lineout in this campaign. But forced off for an HIA after 17 minutes after a clash with Doris, and did not return.

3. Zander Fagerson – 7
Restored to the starting XV after his surprise benching against France, the big man was penalised for standing up in the first scrum, giving Ireland the platform to score the opening try. But put that behind him with plenty of big carries, 12 in all. Turned over by Beirne to end one promising attack.

4. Max Williamson – 7
A show of faith in the big Glasgow Warrior from Townsend, starting the 23-year-old here after he hauled him off early against Wales. Prominent early on with his carrying and again early in the second half. Plenty of big hits on the gainline too. Also took a few lineouts in a promising display.

5. Grant Gilchrist – 8
Back in the starting side for his 88th cap, surpassing Scott Murray as Scotland’s most capped lock. Plenty of hard yards around the fringes – made three carries in the run-up to Russell’s try – and mostly a safe source of lineout ball at front, though McCarthy did steal one from him. Led the defensive effort with 18 tackles and a brilliant short-pass to Darge for his try too.

6. Matt Fagerson – 6
Not as effective with ball in hand as against France but prominent in the defensive effort with a dozen tackles and gave it his all for the full 80.

7. Rory Darge – 7.5
Made 10 tackles in the first half alone and won a penalty on the floor over O’Toole. Came alive in the second half in attack, using his footwork to good effect to make yards, and collected his seventh Test try to give Scotland hope, which was swiftly snuffed out.

8. Jack Dempsey – 6
Playing with a torn bicep tendon (the other one’s functioning “really well”, apparently), the No.8 was not as effective as previously with ball in hand, perhaps feeling the effects of his exertions in recent weeks. One classy pick-up off his boot-straps, but made way for Bradbury on the hour.

Replacements:

16. Ewan Ashman – 7
Into the fray early when Turner was forced off for an HIA after 17 minutes. One lineout failed to find its target but brought plenty of energy and dynamism with ball in hand and finished as Scotland’s joint-top carrier with 13.

17. Rory Sutherland – 5
The 33-year-old took over from Schoeman for the final 10 minutes.  A couple of carries but not much opportunity to make an impact.

18. Darcy Rae – 4
Another who only got the final 10 minutes, with little chance to influence matters with the game almost gone.

19. Alex Craig – 5
Replaced Williamson on the hour to win just a seventh cap since the 2021 Six Nations, and his first since November 2024. Put himself about with a few big tackles.

20. Magnus Bradbury – 6
The Edinburgh captain got his first taste of Six Nations action since 2022 and threw himself into it with half-a-dozen tackles and a couple of strong carries.

21. George Horne – 5
Came on for White after 61 minutes and tried to inject some tempo but the game got away from Scotland in the final quarter.

22. Kyle Rowe – 4
In the 23 for the first time in this campaign, replacing Graham after 61 minutes, but couldn’t get himself into the game.

23. Tom Jordan – 5
The versatile Bristol back replaced Jones in the final quarter but couldn’t bring his influence to bear.