Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Scotland player ratings vs Wales - 2021 Six Nations

By Gavin Harper
Hamish Watson kneels, dejected /PA

Scotland player ratings: Scotland were unable to back up their Calcutta Cup win of last weekend as they fell to Wales at Murrayfield.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Video Spacer

Billy Vunipola’s fitness, Farrell’s form and the worst England performance ever?

Video Spacer

Billy Vunipola’s fitness, Farrell’s form and the worst England performance ever?

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Scotland player ratings
Zander Fagerson gets his marching orders /PA

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of 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 comments
FEATURE
FEATURE Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me' Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me'
Search