15. Stuart Hogg – 8
A world class performance from a world class player. A confident start to his captaincy, he led by example, but 20 years from now we will still be asking why he did not dive in for a nailed-on try when he had the chance.
14. Sean Maitland – 6
The game did not run his way, but kept looking for things to do, was competent defensively and confident under the high ball, and he worked very hard to get up in support of Sam Johnson’s intercepted break-out.
13. Huw Jones – 6
Hardly his fault, but he struggled to get into the game. Much to offer in attack but essentially ignored. Could maybe look after the ball better, and defensive frailty cruelly exposed by Jordan Lamour early on – though, in fairness, he was very solid thereafter.
12. Sam Johnson – 7
Attacks the ball, but lack of pace badly exposed twice – first when he intercepted Connor Murray’s pass deep in his own 22, and then when he gave away a crucial penalty obstructing Andrew Conway.
11. Blair Kinghorn – 6
Pretty anonymous and exposed a couple of times under the high ball. Still doesn’t look particularly comfortable on the wing.
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10. Adam Hastings – 7
It’s time we stopped comparing him to Finn Russell – or to his father, Gavin, for that matter – because he is a serious player in his own right. Grew into the part and managed the game well. Clever kick-pass to Nick Haining when nothing else on after Johnson’s break-out.
9. Ali Price – 7
A mature performance. Mixed it up well between his natural sniping, his slick service and his marshalling of the pack from the base. But let himself down either side of half-time with a careless unnecessary offside penalty and a poor unwarranted kick towards the corner just as the pack were building up a head of steam.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 27)1. Rory Sutherland – 8
Outstanding. Perhaps Scotland’s man-of-the-match. Kept the scrum rock solid against the much vaunted Irish front-row, with a couple of big carries thrown in for good measure.
2. Fraser Brown – 6
Scrum was fine. One poor throw. Busy about the park but a stupid (and costly) penalty blotted his copybook.
3. Zander Fagerson – 7
Did his bit at scrum-time, and put a full shift in around the park.
4. Scott Cummings – 7
Yet more evidence that he has a big future in the international game. Improving with every game, dominated the crucial early restarts and put himself about enthusiastically throughout. One very sloppy line-out the only demerit.
5. Jonny Gray – 7
Top of the overall tackle count at 26 with second placed James Ryan only on 19.
6. Jamie Ritchie – 7
A couple of needless penalties – but he wasn’t the only one! Generally carried on from where he left off at the World Cup – with much of his best work carried out under the radar. A big player for Scotland these days.
7. Hamish Watson – 7
Gave it his all, as usual. Stuck in a couple of huge hits. Carried for 68 metres which was bested only by CJ Stander and James Ritchie, both of whom logged in at 73 metres. Worked hard at the breakdown but constantly out-manned – which might be a systemic rather than a functional problem.
8. Nick Haining – 7
An impressive debut. No obvious nerves. Exploded into the game and stayed positive and aggressive throughout, with and without the ball in hand.
Replacements
16. Stuart Mcinally – 6
Had one lung-busting break after coming on for the last 25 minutes, and is clearly determined to push Brown all the way for that starting jersey.
17. Allan Dell – 6
Worked hard to get into the game during his 16 minutes.
18. WP Nel – 5
Late call-up to the squad played the final eight minutes.
19. Ben Toolis – 5
Didn’t really get a chance to make his mark and hard to see him usurping either of the current inhabitants of the engine-room.
20. Cornell du Preez – 5
Eight minutes at the end might not be enough to secure a place in the squad if Magnus Bradbury returns, as expected, next week.
21. George Horne – 5
Played the last 16 minutes
22. Rory Hutchinson – 5
Would be great to see him get some real Six Nations minutes under his belt.
23. Chris Harris –5
Not much chance to make an impact.
Ireland v Scotland: courageous visitors left frustrated by own mistakes