Scotland v France: Scotland player ratings

15. Stuart Hogg – 7

Stamped his authority all over the game.  Devastating when he hit the gas. Siege gun kicks to dictate field position. Composed and secure when the pressure came on. Read situation brilliantly to make Sean Maitland’s first try, which stemmed from his brave decision to go for the corner rather than the posts. But does he sometimes have a tendency to try to do too much?

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14. Sean Maitland – 8

His first try was straightforward but he worked hard for the second. Solid in defence – good in the air – chased hard – constantly looking to get into the game.

13. Chris Harris – 7

Solid in defence – exploded into the game with ball in hand in the build up to Maitland’s second try. His detractors are dwindling in number with every game.

12. Sam Johnson – 8

Best game to date in a Scotland shirt. Sharp and physical. Really attacks the ball. Huge defensive presence. Shifted the ball superbly for Maitland’s first try.

11. Blair Kinghorn – 7

Worked hard to get himself into the game. Diffused a very dangerous situation early on when Mathieu Jalibert found space round the front of a line out, but was maybe caught too narrow for the Antoine Dupont cross kick that led to Damian Penaud’s try – although he was outnumbered.

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10. Adam Hastings – 8

Bounced back with some panache from his disappointing showing in Rome. Managed the game well. Kicked clever. A genuine threat with ball in hand and picked a brilliant pass for Maitland’s second try. Constantly looking to get onto the front foot and give his centres space to run. Goal kicking much improved in a tricky wind.

9. Ali Price – 7

Workmanlike but still a lack of variety. An effective link. Kicking better – but not perfect. He must feel George Horne breathing down his neck.

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1. Rory Sutherland – 9

Another giant step towards the Lions. Strong –  technically perfect – was winning scrum penalties at will. He has to be the best loose-head in the championship.

2. Fraser Brown – 7

Celebrated his 50th cap by throwing his first line-out squint – just when Scotland needed to exploit the extra man. He did, however, settle down to make a big contribution all over the park with or without the ball in usual belligerent style.

3. Zander Fagerson – 8

Never took a backward step, in the scrum or in the loose. Developing into a great tight-head, to which Messieurs Poirot and Gros will testify.

4. Scott Cummings – 7

A quieter game but did what he needed to do – and did it well. Generally called the line-out sensibly, but did give Stuart McInally a very difficult first throw.

5. Grant Gilchrist – 8

Needed a big game to justify his selection ahead of Ben Toolis, and did not disappoint. Brought a steely edge to the pack and made the hard yards when they were needed.

6. Jamie Ritchie – 9

Man-of-the-match. An absolute warrior – fighting for every ball. Brilliant link play. Took a big one on the chin which saw Mohamed Haouas red carded but which appeared no more than a minor distraction. A hard man and a great player.

7. Hamish Watson – 9

A pocket battleship who produced another huge performance. Turnover after turnover. Incredibly mobile, with a breathtaking covering tackle on Andre Bouthier. Amazingly, having made the initial turnover, he was first to the breakdown when Chris Harris was tackled in the build up to Maitland’s second try: superhuman stuff!

8. Nick Haining – 8

Eyebrows were raise when, having been left out of the squad for Italy he was drafted straight into the team for France, but he fully warranted his selection. A poor start with a needless penalty but he grew into the game. Aggressive with ball in hand, tidy around the edges and at the base of the scrum. Put his marker firmly in the ground.

Replacements

16. Stuart Mcinally – 7

Squint first throw then scored a try off his poor second throw. Bustling, combative, made a telling contribution.

17. Allan Dell – 6

Brought fresh leads when he came on for the final 20 minutes, but is going to have to get used to being a back-up option.

18. WP Nel – 6

As with Dell, the old man of the Scottish pack adds value off the bench.

19. Sam Skinner – 6

Came on in second-row for Cummings and put himself about energetically.

20. Magnus Bradbury – 6

Not a bad option to have coming off the bench to make a muscular impact.

21. George Horne –  6

Sharp and eager, and needs more game time to really see what he can achieve at this level.