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Wales player ratings: After a poor first outing in Dublin, Wales were tasked with facing in-form Scotland at home. Past results show Wales don’t know how to lose to Scotland in Cardiff, but Gregor Townsend’s men were keen to end their hoodoo.
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It wasn’t to be this year, as Wales ground out a fantastic win on home soil. A masterclass in game management saw Wales over the line.
15. Liam Williams – 6
Williams was solid under the high ball and safe with ball in hand. Also kicked the Six Nations’ first ever 50/22, which is pretty neat.
14. Alex Cuthbert – 7
There were concerns about Cuthbert’s ability to cover the backfield opposite Russell and Hogg, but this concern didn’t really come to fruition. He didn’t look out of place, and made a few great carries. Nearly scored the clinching try at the death.
13. Owen Watkin – 8
Fantastic from the first minute. Tackled everything, made the right decisions and even made a break or two. Clearly enjoyed himself.
12. Nick Tompkins – 6
Tompkins has seemingly found a new role as one of Wales’ top tacklers. While he didn’t shine, he slotted in well with the physical Biggar and Watkin. The Saracen properly emptied the tank.
11. Louis Rees-Zammit – 5
Wales’ flier was uncharacteristically passive in tackling Darcy Graham for the opening try. Had moments of discomfort but wasn’t foxed out by Finn Russell’s kicking game. Hopefully he gets a chance to run with the ball in the coming weeks.
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10. Dan Biggar – 7
The Welsh captain had a strong start, kicking his goals well and auditioned for the 8 jersey with a bionic fend on Ali Price. Got stuck in at ruck time and kicked his team to the right areas in the second half, not forgetting the winning drop goal. An emotionally charged performance.
9. Tomos Williams – 8
Made the best out of some difficult situations, but wasn’t flashy. Defended Scotland’s quick lineout brilliantly. A classy show of game management from the 9, opposite the fantastic Ali Price.
1. Wyn Jones – 7
Jones was solid at scrum time. A great asset to Wales’ structure and defensively sound. Attempted a spiral kick after the whistle, which is almost worth a score of 10 in itself.
2. Ryan Elias – 8
Elias has grown into a player who is largely consistent at set-piece, and is a bit of a leader up front. Helped his mate Francis over the line for a 5-pointer. A fantastic performance from the hooker.
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3. Tom Francis – 9
Scrummaged well. Tackled well. Rucked well. Scored the try of the century. What a finisher. Clinical.
'Ooourff' ????#WALvSCO | Credit: @SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/iidiMFZqCC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 12, 2022
4. Will Rowlands – 6
A much-improved performance from Dragon Rowlands. Wales’ set-piece looked good, with help from their rangy lock.
5. Adam Beard – 6
Beard wasn’t as loudly phenomenal as usual, but he was vital in the final defensive set. A trusted figure in the Welsh pack.
6. Taine Basham- 7
Had no trouble adapting to his new role at blindside. Looks equally comfortable in the middle of the park or as an edge forward. Was lucky to escape a card at the end.
7. Jac Morgan – 8
The debutant started well, with a strong first carry and some dominant tackles. Made an excellent account for himself on his first cap. One of the star men in the Welsh pack. First of many caps.
8. Ross Moriarty – 7
Moriarty was hungry from the anthems onwards, but didn’t get carried away. A calm return to form for the number 8.
Replacements:
16. Dewi Lake – 7
Lake’s second cap was much more memorable than his first. Steadied the ship at set-piece, with a reliable performance.
17. Gareth Thomas – 5
Didn’t have a significant impact, but did receive an unconventional pass from Duhan van der Merwe.
18. Dillon Lewis – 6
Secured one of the match-winning turnovers. Say no more.
19. Seb Davies – N/A
Only played a couple of minutes.
20. Aaron Wainwright – 6
Didn’t get much opportunity with ball in hand but tackled well as per usual.
21. Gareth Davies – N/A
22. Callum Sheedy – N/A
23. Jonathan Davies – 8
Fittingly Davies was outstanding on his 100th cap. Came on at exactly the right moment, riled the crowd up and organised the defence brilliantly. A vital contribution to Wales’ deserved win.
Comments on RugbyPass
A 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?
11 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
24 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
4 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 commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments