www.craigwatson.co.uk
15. Blair Kinghorn – 6
The leggy fullback looked far more comfortable under the high ball in Dublin but he also conceded a penalty late in the first half when catching Calvin Nash high. Was threatening with the ball in hand, for perhaps the first time this season, direct and pacey. [Jordan Larmour 6]
Six Nations: Ireland v Scotland reaction: Finn Russell calls for improved mental toughness
Six Nations: Ireland v Scotland report: pride restored in narrow Dublin defeat
Scottish Cup: polished performance sees holders Hawick safely through against Dundee
14. Kyle Steyn – 7
Fulfilled his defensive duties, until bounced by James Lowe immediately after the break, but didn’t get too many opportunities with the ball in hand. Kept going right to the end [Calvin Nash 7]
13. Huw Jones – 7
Sound in defence but a little subdued in attack until he pulled a rabbit out a hat, scoring a brilliant solo effort with three minutes left on the clock to throw his side a lifeline they could not utilise. [Robbie Henshaw 6]
12. Stafford McDowall – 7
A promising Six Nations debut. McDowall enjoyed a brilliant run just before the half hour mark after slipping the tackle of Bundee Aki of all people. Crucially he couldn’t quite get the ball away. Occasionally a little hesitant in defence but he grew in confidence as the match progressed. [Bundee Aki 7]
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 4
Conceded an unnecessary offside penalty in the early exchanges. The big winger was a little lateral with the ball in hand and then penalised for holding on. He did well to regain one of Russell’s high balls in the second half. Not his best showing against an excellent Irish defence. [James Lowe 6]
10. Finn Russell – 6
Poor early kick, poor pass to Christie but displayed his usual creativity with ball in hand, on the odd occasion he saw it in the second half. Kicked the ball dead from a restart, which galvanised the Irish on the field and in the stands. Not at his best but still emptied the tank in the cause. [Jack Crowley 6]
9. Ben White – 6
Kicked well but a little sloppy at the base with the occasional knock on. Second best to his opposite number JGP but never gave up the fight and caught Gibson-Park in possession in the second half. [Jamison Gibson Park 8]
1. Pierre Schoeman – 5
Conceded a scrum penalty on 31 minutes to the irrepressible Tadhg Furlong. Carried tirelessly but also conceded an offside penalty by running behind Andy Christie. Struggled in the set scrum. [Andrew Porter 8]
2. George Turner – 5
An overthrow at the sidelines gifted Dan Sheehan that crucial early try. As Johnny Beattie pointed out at half-time, why are Scotland calling double top five yards from their own try line!? Did better when on for Ashman, stopping one Irish driving maul, in the second half. [Dan Sheehan 7]
3. Zander Fagerson – 5.
Endured a torrid time in the set scrum where Ireland dominated throughout and conceded too many penalties there and at the breakdown. Coughed up the ball early doors in contact, it was to Joe McCarthy but still! On the plus side he carried with malice afore thought and tackled everything that moved. [Tadhg Furlong 7]
4. Grant Gilchrist – 6
Combined with Andy Christie to prevent a second half try by Calvin Nash. A quietish game from the big man who still did plenty of heavy lifting. [Joe McCarthy 7]
5. Scott Cummings – 7
Abrasive and aggressive throughout. Harshly penalised in the second half for catching an Irish arm at a line-out. Worked his socks off for the full eighty. Beginning to look the part. [Tadhg Beirne 7]
6. Andy Christie – 9
Scotland’s best player by a margin. The beating heart of that brave defensive effort. Great charge down on James Lowe early on might have resulted in a try with a luckier bounce. A good turnover on the 20 minute mark. Won another turnover with Jack Dempsey on 32 minutes. Ubiquitous throughout with a work-rate that was off the scale. [Peter O’Mahony 6]
7. Rory Darge – 5
Excellent in defence, as with almost everyone else in blue, but the openside failed to make much of an impact at the breakdown or make huge inroads with the ball in hand. Replaced on 60 minutes by Matt Fagerson. [Josh van der Flier 7]
8. Jack Dempsey – 7
Huge amount of defensive work, like everyone else, including that excellent turnover with Christie on Josh van der Flier. Did brilliantly well in the second half with one incisive run only to pass the pass straight to Gibson-Park. [Caelan Doris 7]
Replacements –
16. Ewan Ashman – 6
On at 48 minutes, carried, carded, returned.
17. Rory Sutherland – 4
On at 48 minutes but unable to stabilise the shaky Scottish scrum, conceding a free kick.
18. Javan Sebastian – 6
On for the last 10 after being a late call-up to the squad as replacement for Elliot Millar-Mills.
19. Sam Skinner – 6
On for the last 10.
20. Matt Fagerson – 6
Failed to find his man at the sidelines, to no one’s great surprise, when deputising for the carded Ashman..
21. George Horne – 7
Tidy, little to work with, showed his pace with ball in hand but only at the death.
22. Cameron Redpath – 7
Did amazing work holding Robbie Henshaw’s would-be-try off the ground, with help from Christie, and was even spotted in the middle of a maul!
23. Kyle Rowe – 6
Took the high ball cleanly but overcooked one kick to touch to pile more second half pressure on the Scots.
Six Nations: Ireland v Scotland reaction: Finn Russell calls for improved mental toughness
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
