Scotland player ratings vs Wales - 2021 Six Nations
Scotland player ratings: Scotland were unable to back up their Calcutta Cup win of last weekend as they fell to Wales at Murrayfield.
A second-half red card for Zander Fagerson proved costly as the visitors secured their second successive victory, while Scotland were unable to capitalise on a dominant first-half showing.
Here’s our Scotland player ratings.
15. STUART HOGG – 8
An outstanding showing from Scotland’s captain, who took his try well after gathering his own chip through. A lovely stepping break caused havoc for Wales.
14. DARCY GRAHAM – 7
Hasn’t played since January 2 for personal reasons, but looked lively throughout to get himself involved. A lovely finish for his try to get on the end of Price’s kick. The man unlucky to be removed when Scotland needed a prop.
13. CHRIS HARRIS – 7
Made a couple of early half breaks to put Scotland on the front foot, and linked well with Duhan van der Merwe in defence to shut down the Welsh attacking options.
12. JAMES LANG – 6
A quiet outing for the Harlequins man who carried for just eight metres. Lang combined well to keep Welsh midfield quiet, and get the ball to Scotland’s danger men. Huw Jones offered more of a carrying threat once he came on.
11. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE – 7
Always makes good ground with ball in hand, whether in heavy traffic or the open expanses. Rushed out of the line for Wales’ first try, but nearly got away late on to snatch victory.
10. FINN RUSSELL – 7
Some lovely touches in attack, and nearly put Duhan van der Merwe away for the match-winning score late on. An assured showing, but should have taken the points when they were on offer.
9. ALI PRICE – 6
Box kicks were targeted by England, but a much more assured performance today as he turned Wales time and time again. Got Scotland moving in attack and supplied a lovely assist to Graham’s try.
Kicked the ball away late on which made Scotland’s task even harder.
RORY SUTHERLAND – 6
Part of a dominant scrum, and added to the carrying threat when Scotland were dominant.
2. GEORGE TURNER – 6
A couple of lineout wobbles won’t have pleased the hooker, but he got his hands on the ball regularly before making way inside the final quarter.
3. ZANDER FAGERSON – 5
The red card hugely costly as he collided with Wyn Jones, who’d also got the better of a couple of scrum exchanges.
4. SCOTT CUMMINGS – 6
A quitter shift than a week ago, but offered himself tirelessly in attack and often used as the link between Price and Russell. Once again showed his engine by shifting to the back-row late on.
5. JONNY GRAY– 7
Supported Russell’s linebreak well to get the offload and put Scotland on the front foot for their opening try. A constant carrier, too.
6. BLADE THOMSON – 6
Off early but made one big charge just before being injured. His frustrations in the navy blue continue.
7. HAMISH WATSON – 8
Worked as hard as anyone, whether carrying or making 13 tackles, while also kept Justin Tipuric quiet – no easy feat.
8. MATT FAGERSON – 7
A costly penalty in the build-up to Wales’ first try. He carried well and added physicality to the defensive effort.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to comments