Scotland player ratings v Wales: Gregor Townsend will hope World Rugby grants his ‘wish’ after ‘shameful showing’ almost undoes ‘marvellous’ efforts
Our Scotland player ratings following the 35-29 victory over Wales in the Six Nations.
Following Scotland’s 35-29 victory over Wales, here’s how we rated Gregor Townsend’s men in the Six Nations victory.
Scotland player ratings v Wales
15 Blair Kinghorn: Might as well get his measurements for that British and Irish Lions jersey. Simply sensational, a serious contender for the Six Nations player of the tournament. Two tries today in a marvellous performance. Man of the match despite being ill, fair play. 9
14 Darcy Graham: A joy to watch with ball in hand as he reminded the world just what Scotland were missing without him on the wing. Grabbed a try, assisted another and departed the action to rapturous applause. 8
13 Huw Jones: His midfield partner grabbed the five-pointers this week but the number 13 was sublime yet again in what has been an excellent campaign despite Scotland failing to rise to their potential consistently. Another that looks certain to wear red in Australia. 8
12 Tom Jordan: Taken to Test rugby like a pig to mud. Grabbed a lovely brace, linked up wonderfully with Jones and Russell and defended manfully. Shifted to 10 later on and his influence did not dip. 8
11 Duhan van der Merwe: No try this week but no less impactful than he was against England as he regularly got his team over the advantage line and created gaps elsewhere for others to exploit. 7
10 Finn Russell: Masterminded Wales‘ latest demise assisting two tries and converting all five of his conversion attempts in a compelling hour-long shift – an emphatic response to the England disappointment. Removed having seemingly done enough to see his team to victory, although it did get rather nervy. 8
9 Ben White: Set the tempo along with Russell to build what proved to be just enough of an unassailable lead. Not quite as brilliant as he has been in recent matches but his team didn’t need him to be at that level. 6
Back-row
8 Jack Dempsey: Brilliant with ball in hand and without it gaining over 90 metres and making a team-high of 13 tackles. Set the tone up front and didn’t let up for the entire match. 8
7 Rory Darge: Forced off before the half-time break. A solid shift but not quite as destructive as he has been so far this campaign. Busy. 6
6 Jamie Ritchie: Sensational yet again as he fulfilled his responsibilities at the breakdown and carried Darge’s load once he was forced off. Crucially pleaded for Faletau’s try to be checked and got his wish in what could well have been the difference between winning and losing. He has been stripped of the captaincy but, considering his form and this intervention, perhaps that should be revisited. 8
Tight-five and bench
5 Grant Gilchrist: Still some lineout wobbles but was his usual busy self around the park. 6
4 Jonny Gray: Much the same as his second-row partner but with a huge work rate with ball in hand making 12 passes and seven carries. 7
3 Zander Fagerson: A pair of penalties conceded but did manage to put the powerful Nicky Smith under the cosh at scrum time, an area of his game that hasn’t been at his usual best this campaign. Insane work-rate for a tighthead again too. 8
2 Dave Cherry: Solid without being sensational. Made his tackles, carried well and all with little fuss. 6
1 Pierre Schoeman: Grabbed a lovely turnover, carried relentlessly and was a key cog in a firing Scottish starting pack. 7
Replacements: Wales undoubtedly got more purchase from their eight bench players as they threatened what would have been one of the greatest comebacks in recent memory. Townsend reportedly raised concerns about the manner in which benches are changing games at the highest level during the latest World Rugby meeting and today those tactics almost cost his team dearly. Once the bench was rolled out, Scotland looked a shadow of the team that started the match and almost led to their demise had it not been for Ritchie’s pleas. Frankly, a shameful showing and Townsend will hope his wish for the bench to be changed will be acted upon in the same manner as the request for a TMO review. The bench slipped tackles, wasted opportunities and very nearly lost the match. 2
