Player ratings: Welsh wing wonder excels

Colin Newboult
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Following their 25-24 victory over Scotland in their Six Nations match at Murrayfield on Saturday, here’s the player ratings for Wales.

15 Leigh Halfpenny: Kicked an early penalty, but failed a head injury assessment just before half-time and did not return. Perhaps partly at fault for Scotland’s firs try by being out of position. 5

14 Louis Rees-Zammit: A wonderful two-try display by the 20-year-old Gloucester wing, who looks a Test match natural. Finished the first well but it was his second where his skills particularly came to the fore. A real talent. 9

13 Owen Watkin: Shrugged off by Scotland captain Hogg for the skipper’s second try, but otherwise a solid showing. 6

12 Nick Tompkins: Moved to the wing in a reshuffle when Halfpenny went off and he did little wrong. Despite one knock-on, he looked bright and inventive, with his quick-thinking sending Rees-Zammit over for his first. 7

11 Liam Williams: Scored a try on his Wales return after injury and shone in all areas. Typically combative but also did the basics well. 8

10 Dan Biggar: A subdued performance by the Wales fly-half, who was substituted early in the second half. Has struggled for a while in the national team jersey so perhaps it’s time to give Callum Sheedy a start in a big Test match? 5

9 Gareth Davies: Like Biggar, could make little headway and went off after 49 minutes to be replaced by Kieran Hardy, who fared much better. 5

8 Taulupe Faletau: A commanding contribution at the back of Wales’ scrum, and he also contributed in the loose, although Wayne Pivac will want a bit more from him with ball in hand. 7

7 Justin Tipuric: Relished his battle with Scotland openside flanker Hamish Watson. Never stopped and showed some deft touches with the ball. 7

6 Aaron Wainwright: Made the most of his return to the team, and was consistent in all areas. 6

5 Alun Wyn Jones: The Wales captain went off near the end, but he was his usual workaholic self. Not as influential as last week but still a monumental presence, who continues to be an influential part in the side. 7

4 Adam Beard: Worked hard in the tight and loose and made his presence felt in the lineouts, but perhaps doesn’t have the out-and-out quality to be a regular first choice selection. 6

3 Tomas Francis: Was replaced in the second half as Scotland exerted scrum pressure. Was solid in the first period but not his best game. 5

2 Ken Owens: Showed all his experience and leadership ability during a game that ebbed and flowed. 7

1 Wyn Jones: Another outstanding display by the Scarlets prop, who capped it by scoring a try. He was solid in the scrum and busy around the park, with his threat at the breakdown forcing Zander Fagerson into a costly clearout. 8

Replacements: The Wales substitutes made an impact, especially half-backs Sheedy and Hardy, who both came on early in the second period. 7

 

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