After Cam’s controversial ratings from last weekend, we may need to make you aware these were done after the pub, and also based on one view from the press deck and one from the back of the stand.
15. Stuart Hogg: For a man with questions over his defence, put in two try saving tackles. Had a baby earlier in the week and clearly pumped for the occasion – 7/10
14. Tommy Seymour: A quiet finish to a quiet tournament by his standards but took the try well – 6/10
13. Huw Jones: A few nice jinks before the first Scotland try but injured in the process. More to come from him, definitely. Such a dangerous runner – 6/10
12. Alex Dunbar: A big reaction was needed from the centre after the England game, and he responded with his best ball carrying performance of the tournament. Defence reverted to the default state of “solid” too thankfully –7/10
11. Tim Visser: Probably the most involved of the Scottish back three, but perhaps flattered to deceive with regard to effectiveness in the first half. No shortage of workrate though and was similary busy for his try on the hour mark – 6/10
10. Finn Russell: Concussion worries set aside with a pretty assured performance. Maybe tried too much at times but was involved in all of Scotland’s best moves including most of the tries – 8/10
9. Ali Price: Played his usual game and kept things moving quickly – 6/10
1. Gordon Reid: Part of a solid scrum effort and key in the defensive stand down to 14 men – 7/10
2. Ross Ford: Played over an hour during which there were solid scrums and the defence was strong. Brown wasn’t needed until the game was all but done – 6/10
3. Zander Fagerson: Part of a relatively strong scrummaging performance by Scotland but quiet in the loose – 6/10
4. Grant Gilchrist: A late call up for Richie Gray who couldn’t get over his hamstring injury. Carried a bit, tackled a lot. Not spectacular, but didn’t let anyone down – 6/10
5. Jonny Gray: Quiet with the bigger carries but took on plenty and punched a few big holes when really required. Must take some credit for a defence that didn’t let in any tries – 7/10
6. John Barclay: Yellow carded for collapsing the maul at the start of the second half but when he was on the pitch, led by example and had far more success at the breakdown than last weekend – 6/10
7. Hamish Watson: Made ground with almost every carry and is incredibly hard to bring down when he’s going forward. Put in a few key tackles as well – 7.5/10
8. Ryan Wilson: Looked like he was going off injured after just 5 minutes but somehow lasted till half time and beyond. – 6/10
Replacements:
16. Fraser Brown: had little effect on the game. Perhaps docked a point for an iffy lineout at the death (we’ve heard that before) which almost let Italy on the board – 5/10
17. Allan Dell: Very useful in the loose this lad. Scrum didn’t suffer too badly. Italy miss Castro badly – 5/10
18. Simon Berghan: Had his first decent run off the bench but they still prefer Fagerson which says something – 5/10
19. Tim Swinson: Helped with the maul defence when he came on and had some strong carries against tiring Italians. Unlucky not to start – 6/10
20. Cornell du Preez: Played half an hour and did the carrying he was supposed to. Josh Strauss but slightly less effective, on this showing. Needs to bring the extra skills we know he has if he’s going to break in to the team permanently – 6/10
21. Henry Pyrgos: Replaced Price with no discernible drop in quality, if perhaps a slight drop in pace – 6/10
22. Duncan Weir: Brief cameo when Scott was injured and kicked for territory well just to really put Italy’s fire out. Still unlikely Weir/Russell will make a Ford/Farrell level combo – 5/10
23. Matt Scott: Had just short of an hour on the pitch after waiting patiently all tournament. Not quite in the Huw Jones mould but more Dunbar Mk II, carried hard and direct all game but went off injured just before the end – 6.5/10
And last but not least:
Vern Cotter: has Scotland moving in the right direction. Identified the ideal blueprint for a Scottish rugby team and has gone some way towards putting it in place. Unearthed some new players and has others playing the best rugby of their lives. For the first time in recent memory, Scotland’s ship is going in right direction and not taking on water as a new coach comes in. There were blips along the way but if Toony can get the tactics right, there’s the makings of a great team now and a lot of that credit goes to Vern – 7.5/10