1
Scotland player ratings vs Wales | Six Nations 2022
Scotland player ratings: Scotland were unable to back up last weekend’s Calcutta Cup win as they fell to another defeat in Cardiff.
ADVERTISEMENT
Scotland struggled to get a foothold in the second half and a yellow card for Finn Russell with 14 minutes to play proved crucial as Wales took the lead with a Dan Biggar drop-goal.
Wales avenged their defeat to Ireland in round one as Scotland’s long winless run in the Welsh capital continued.
Here’s how Gregor Townsend’s charges performed.
15. Stuart Hogg – 7.5
Looked dangerous in attack with outstanding footwork. The visitors used his boot well to clear their lines.
14 Darcy Graham – 7
Electric last week and continued that with an outstanding finish in the corner from his only first half opportunity. The man from Hawick consistently punches well above his weight.
5'7 Darcy Graham takes on 6'3 Louis Rees-Zammit and wins ?
Rugby, where size doesn't matter ? pic.twitter.com/anNS9PjCoZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 12, 2022
13. Chris Harris – 7
Threatened the Welsh midfield with ball in hand – nearly put his midfield colleague away after one break. Also marshalled the defensive effort well.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 7
Into the side for his second cap and tasked with giving Townsend’s side front-foot ball. He delivered on that, and showed soft hands to allow Russell space for the opening try. Three touches in the move that put Scotland ahead early in the second half.
ADVERTISEMENT
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6
Scotland need to get the big winger in the game more. He did make a lovely break up the touchline, but should have looked inside. Two really poor knock-ons late on.
10. Finn Russell – 5
Looked sharp in attack – kept Scotland ticking over and a lovely pass to put Graham over the highlight. Some excellent kicking to pin the hosts back despite an errant restart and penalty to touch. His yellow card was costly.
9. Ali Price – 6
His quick service helped put Scotland on the front foot. Varied his range of passing well.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7
An excellent jackal penalty that gave Scotland territory from which Russell extended their lead. Came back on for Sutherland and made a total of 10 tackles.
ADVERTISEMENT
2. Stuart McInally – 6.5
The former skipper made six tackles and five carries in the first half, while the lineout functioned well. Added an outstanding turnover with Wales on the attack just before half-time.
3. WP Nel – 6
Nine tackles and some good touches on attack in his 44 minutes. Will be disappointed to have been penalised at the first scrum as the home side took the lead.
4. Jonny Gray – 6.5
Another workmanlike performance with five carries into the Welsh forwards. Made 15 tackles for his 62 minutes and claimed three lineouts.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
A big shift on his 50th cap. Ensured the lineout was an efficient source of possession and contributed 12 tackles and four carries. Will rue the two soft penalties he gave away that cost the visitors six points.
6. Sam Skinner – 7
Worked his socks off despite being unable to put pressure on the Welsh lineout. Topped the defensive effort with a mammoth 21 tackles and a vital lineout turnover that gave Scotland a chance in the closing stages.
7. Hamish Watson – 6.5
Continued his impressive defensive statistics – still hasn’t missed a Six Nations tackle since 2019, but only one turnover as he was again negated well at the breakdown.
8. Matt Fagerson – 6.5
Made six carries for 49m – including beating a couple of tackles with his first touch, but was forced off on the half hour after rolling his ankle.
Replacements
16. George Turner – 5
Didn’t add the desired impact and conceded a penalty that allowed Wales the lead with 15 minutes to go.
17. Rory Sutherland – 5
On as part of a full front row change, but scrums were scrappy and was forced off just after the hour. Has been an important part of Townsend’s squad, so the coach will hope it’s nothing too serious.
18. Zander Fagerson – 5
On four minutes into the second half, but as a whole Scotland’s replacement front row didn’t get on top as would surely have been the plan.
19. Magnus Bradbury – 6.5
Has looked back to his best for Edinburgh, but not able to get on the ball in the wide expanses in a tight contest. A real threat running the ball back from deep.
20. Rory Darge – 6
Replaced Jonny Gray to make his Scotland debut on 62 minutes. Threw himself into everything with four tackles, but Scotland were on the back foot.
21. Ben White – 5
Unable to have the same impact as his sensational debut last weekend as the game ebbed away from the visitors.
22. Blair Kinghorn – 5
Moved to fly-half this season and sent on with Russell in the sin-bin, but unable to rescue the game.
23. Cam Redpath – N/A
No time to make an impact.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets 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?
13 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.
10 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.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 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.
25 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
6 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.
10 Go to comments