Scotland player ratings: Blair Kinghorn and Andy Christie shine in brave defeat to Ireland

After a 17-13 Six Nations defeat against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, here’s how the Scotland team performed on Saturday.

Scotland player ratings v Ireland

15 Blair Kinghorn: The Toulouse star was his usual steady self under the high ball but also kept Ireland’s defenders busy with some strong runs from the back and impressed with the boot when his team were under pressure. He eventually finished with a team-high 81 metres gained before Kyle Rowe replaced him late on. 8

14 Kyle Steyn: The Glasgow Warriors flyer spent most of this match defending but did well in that department, finishing with 10 tackles made. Although there were few attacking opportunities, he was always looking for work and finished with 20 metres gained from seven carries. 6

Jones steps up in the closing stages

13 Huw Jones: Made some fine attacking runs during the opening half, but that did not trouble Ireland’s defence during that time. Stepped up in the game’s closing stages when he crossed for a well-taken try and finished with 44 metres gained. He also impressed on defence, where he completed 11 tackles. 8

12 Stafford McDowall: The Glasgow Warrior had a good moment late in the first half when he burst through a tackle from Bundee Aki and set off on a barnstorming run before being hauled in by the cover defence deep inside Irish territory. Apart from that, he hardly set the world alight on attack but was superb on defence and made 17 hits. 7

11 Duhan van der Merwe: The behemoth wing seldom found himself in space with ball in hand as he was closely watched by the home side’s defence. Apart from making little impact with ball in hand, he was also quiet on defence and conceded three penalties. 5

10 Finn Russell (cc): Scotland’s backline looked dangerous with ball in hand during the opening period, and the Bath magician was at the centre of those attacks as he created space for his team-mates with his superb playmaking skills. There was no reward, however, and with Ireland having the bulk of the possession for the rest of the match, he was less influential after the break, although there was a strong finish when Scotland chased the game. 7

9 Ben White: The Toulon player made a bright start as he provided a slick service to his outside backs but did not make a big impact on attack. Like the rest of the Scotland team, he was restricted mostly to defensive duties as the game progressed and was eventually replaced by George Horne midway through the second half. 6

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8 Jack Dempsey: The former Wallaby number eight did his bit as an attacker where he tested his opponents’ defence with several strong carries but also made his mark with a fine defensive shift. Finished with 33 metres gained from 12 runs and shone on defence, where he made 20 tackles. 8

7 Rory Darge (cc): As expected, Scotland’s co-captain made his presence felt at the breakdown, where he was involved in a titanic tussle with Josh van der Flier, but he also did well on defence as he made 14 tackles before being replaced by Matt Fagerson in the 62nd minute. 7

Saracen empties the tank

6 Andy Christie: The Saracens stalwart came to the fore with an excellent performance as he put in a huge all-round effort. He was a willing carrier, won some balls in the lineouts and also impressed with an outstanding defensive shift where made a joint team-high 25 hits before being taken off temporarily in the latter stages of the game when Ewan Ashman was yellow carded. Came back on in the dying embers and continued where left off. 9

5 Scott Cummings: The Scots spent most of this match defending, and Cummings was one of the players who put his body on the line in that department, where he made 25 tackles and also did well in the lineouts. Replaced by Sam Skinner after 71 minutes. 8

4 Grant Gilchrist: The experienced Edinburgh second-row gave good support to Cummings at the coalface of Scotland’s forward effort where he did what was expected of him in the lineouts and also impressed on defence with 13 tackle completions. 7

3 Zander Fagerson: The 28-year-old was put under severe pressure at the scrums and conceded three penalties during a 71-minute stint but caught the eye with an impressive defensive shift and he was also a willing ball carrier. Eventually made 22 tackles. 7

2 George Turner: He made a costly error when he couldn’t find his jumper at a lineout close to his try-line, and Dan Sheehan pounced to score the game’s opening try. Put that setback behind him and had a big defensive shift with 16 hits made before eventually being replaced by Ashman. 6

1 Pierre Schoeman: The Edinburgh stalwart was a willing ball carrier, especially at close quarters, but made little impact on attack. He was also put on the back foot at the scrums but made his biggest contribution on defence, where he completed 17 tackles before being replaced by Rory Sutherland in the 49th minute. 6

Replacements: Although they were restricted mostly to defensive duties, the Scotland replacements gave a good account of themselves as they continued with the good work of the players they replaced. 7

READ MORE: Ireland seal back-to-back Six Nations titles after hard-fought victory over Scotland