Scotland looked like the better team throughout the game, coming out 13-19 victors, but they didn’t make it easy for themselves and once again missed out on a bonus point try, scoring the same 19 points as last week. Lisa Thomson, Meryl Smith and Alex Stewart (plus Evie Gallagher and Elis Martin from the bench) put in particularly good performances but there was a lack of discipline in key moments.
Forwards
Rated on Attack, Defence, Breakdown and Set Piece
1. Leah Bartlett: Did everything well, especially tackling. - (A6.5/D7.5/B7/S7) Overall: 7/10
2. Lana Skeldon: The lineout looked better than last week, but still work to do. I assume there was some tactical decision allowing the front row fewer carries, as Skeldon had joint-most of the Scottish front row players, with... three carries. - (A6.5/D7/B6.5/S7) Overall: 7/10
3. Christine Belisle: Made the kind of big, crunching tackles I like, and saved the day with quick thinking at a couple of lineouts. - (A6.5/D7.5/B7/S7.5) Overall: 7/10
4. Louise McMillan: The most successful tackles of any Scotland player (16). Had some great carries and a high work rate. - (A6.5/D8.5/B6.5/S6.5) Overall: 7/10
5. Sarah Bonar: Quieter than last week but didn't do much wrong. - (A6.5/D7/B6.5/S6.5) Overall: 6.5/10
6. Rachel Malcolm: Carried often and well. Solid in defence as always! - (A7.5/D7.5/B6.5/S6.5) Overall: 7/10
7. Alex Stewart: Exceptional in attack and made 13 tackles, including a dominant one. You couldn't complain if Stewart was awarded player of the match, and I'm delighted she got her first Scotland try. - (A9/D9.5/B7/S6) Overall: 8/10
8. Jade Konkel: A mixed performance: some excellent tackling, rucking, and a classic Konkel offload, but gave away a couple of penalties. - (A6.5/D7.5/B7/S6.5) Overall: 7/10
Backs
Rated on Attack, Defence, Breakdown and Influence
9. Caity Mattinson: A couple of passes to the shoelaces but otherwise another good performance for Mattinson. - (A7/D7/B6/I7) Overall: 7/10
10. Helen Nelson: Good distribution and worked well with Mattinson and Thomson, and tidied up a few balls that would otherwise have gone awry. I keep being so impressed with her defence, which included a dominant tackle. - (A7/D7.5/B6.5/I6.5) Overall: 7/10
11. Francesca McGhie: A Fran-tastic (sorry) try! McGhie did well in attack throughout but didn't look as solid in defence. - (A8/D6/B6.5/I6.5) Overall: 7/10
12. Lisa Thomson: Her boot was unbelievable once again. Thomson was also getting stuck right in at the breakdown when required. - (A7/D7/B7.5/I9) Overall: 7.5/10
13. Meryl Smith: Attack almost flawless in a player of the match display. Tackled crunchingly and her conversion was *chef's kiss*. Her kicking from hand faltered a bit in the second half but overall another excellent performance - in another different position! - (A9.5/D7/B7/I7) Overall: 7.5/10
14. Rhona Lloyd: Since when could Lloyd kick?! Both kicks from hand looked awkward but were effective! Not the right choice to keep the ball in play, leading to the first Japanese try. Took her own try well. - (A8/D7.5/B7/I7) Overall: 7.5/10
15. Chloe Rollie: Honestly, Rollie had a bit of a nightmare. She just could not deal with the Sakura XV's kicks in the first half, although this did improve as the game went on. - (A7/D6/B6/I4.5) Overall: 6/10
Replacements
Rated on Attack, Defence, Breakdown and Impact
16. Elis Martin: Carried like her life depended on it and had some flashy offloads! - (A8/D6/B6/I8) Overall: 7/10
17. Lisa Cockburn: Tackled dominantly and carried well. - (A7/D7/B6/I6) Overall: 6.5/10
18. Anne Young: Lost the ball from one of her first carries, but had a great dominant tackle. - (A5.5/D6.5/B6/I6) Overall: 6/10
19. Evie Gallagher: There were exclamation marks after every sentence I wrote in my notes about Gallagher. An excellent break and a final, crucial turnover two outstanding points. - (A7.5/D6.5/B8/I8) Overall: 7.5/10
20. Eva Donaldson: A good lineout target and threw herself into the breakdown. - (A6/D6/B7/I7) Overall: 6.5/10
21. Leia Brebner-Holden: Brebner-Holden's service remains sharp, and who doesn't love a cheeky scrumhalf turnover? - (A6/D6/B8/I7) Overall: 7/10
22. Emma Orr: Seemed to shine in attack when she came on, but gave away a couple of turnovers. A crucial part of Lloyd's try. - (A7.5/D6.5/B6/I7) Overall: 7/10
23. Lucia Scott: N/A - (A6/D6/B6/I6) Overall: 6/10
Skye is a Scottish writer and rugby fan based in Newcastle. You can read more of Skye’s work on her website at skye-wilson.com or via @skyegwilson on X.
All posts by Skye Wilson
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We seemed to fluff our lines at crucial moments . Granted the heat couldn’t have helped but will need to be sharper. Id start brebner holden, service is far crisper than mattinson.
Looks like you are getting your wish!
Interesting ratings! I noticed some players were rated lower than expected—what do you think contributed to that? I’d love to hear your thoughts on how they can improve in future games.