Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ian Malin

Scotland 30-21 England: Six Nations player ratings from Murrayfield

Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland makes a burst through the England defence.
Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland makes a burst through the England defence. Photograph: Robert Perry/EPA

Scotland

15 Blair Kinghorn Has been in cracking form for Toulouse and return to Scottish colours after injury was eagerly awaited. Very strong in defence. 7

14 Kyle Steyn Another who missed the France defeat, his return after birth of his daughter was unspectacular but played a key defensive role. 6

13 Huw Jones Played a big role in Van der Merwe’s first try and was always a threat with ball in hand. Very impressive evening’s work. 6

12 Sione Tuipulotu Partnership with Jones is a huge factor in Scotland’s progress. But sadly hobbled off in the first minute of the second half. 6

11 Duhan van der Merwe England’s nemesis at Twickenham last year and was so again with a stunning hat-trick. Late yellow card could not spoil his night. 9

10 Finn Russell (co-capt) Always going to be a major influence. Didn’t use that full box of tricks but he is just not missing kicks this tournament. 7

9 Ben White At fault for the Furbank try but the France-based scrum-half recovered well to keep the England back row honest. 6

1 Pierre Schoeman Raw power at scrum-time against the experienced Dan Cole was vital and the South African made some key tackles. 7

2 George Turner Very dynamic hooker and his throwing-in was important factor in a strong lineout. Looks the best No 2 in the tournament. 7

3 Zander Fagerson Early departure for a head injury assessment rocked the Scottish scrum but returned to add real solidity to the set piece. 7

4 Grant Gilchrist His red scrum cap was everywhere. Made some important carries. Another good display in the lineout and at restarts. 6

5 Scott Cummings Glasgow lock was outstanding in the lineout, a phase that was a strength of both sides. Good, powerful 80 minutes. 6

6 Jamie Ritchie Omission from the side against France raised a few eyebrows and if he had a point to prove he did it with an impressive return. 6

7 Rory Darge (co-capt) Was always going to be a menace at the breakdown. Gives Scotland’s back row some real energy. 6

8 Jack Dempsey Another key man at the breakdown. He is an unshowy player but covered every blade of the Murrayfield grass. 6

Replacements: Ewan Ashman (for Turner, 53min) 5; Alec Hepburn (Schoeman, 61) 5; Elliot Millar-Mills (Fagerson, 61) 6; Sam Skinner (Gilchrist, 67) 5; Andy Christie (Ritchie, 53) 5; George Horne (White, 62) 5; Ben Healy (Redpath, 72 blood replacement) 5; Cameron Redpath (Tuipulotu, 41) 7

Sam Underhill tackles Blair Kinghorn.
Sam Underhill tackles Blair Kinghorn. Photograph: Scott Heppell/AP

England

15 George Furbank Picked to give England more of an attacking edge. Took five minutes to justify his place but the dream start did not continue. 6

14 Tommy Freeman Struggled to impose himself on the game but he was starved of possession for most of it. Solid in defence. 6

13 Henry Slade Key man in the England blitz defence but has made hardly any carries in the tournament and offers little attacking threat. 5

12 Ollie Lawrence England needed the centre to thunder across the gainline but he could not convert his club form to the international arena. Will improve. 5

11 Elliot Daly Not the only England back struggling for his best form. A switch to outside-centre could be a solution against Ireland. 6

10 George Ford Another excellent display. Drop goal hauled England back into the game. Good defensively and not overshadowed by Russell. 7

9 Danny Care In his 99th cap the scrum-half justified his first Six Nations start for six years but replacement Ben Spencer added zip. 6

1 Ellis Genge Picked for his dynamism in the loose rather than scrummaging power but conceded nothing in the scrum to Zander Fagerson. 6

2 Jamie George (capt) Playing under a weight of grief after his mother’s death, the captain led from the front on a difficult evening for his side. 7

3 Dan Cole A Cole-powered scrum worked in the first half and the 36-year-old also made some key tackles. Fully justified his selection. 6

4 Maro Itoje Made some powerful carries and was an imposing figure in the lineout but could not replicate his form from the game against Wales. 6

5 Ollie Chessum Was as belligerent as ever but gradually faded from the game. May come under pressure for starting place against Ireland. 5

6 Ethan Roots Gives the back row an edge but as the game continued he faded from view and George Martin should start against Ireland. 5

7 Sam Underhill England’s best forward. An absolute beast at the breakdown and the one England player improving as the tournament goes on. 8

8 Ben Earl Man-of-the match against Wales and was again a dynamic figure in back row again. Made some vital carries and defensively strong. 7

Replacements: Theo Dan (for George, 67min) 5; Joe Marler (Genge, 61) 5; Will Stuart (Cole, 55) 5; George Martin (Roots, 47) 6; Chandler Cunningham-South (Underhill, 55) 5; Ben Spencer (Care, 47) 6; Fin Smith (Ford, 61) 5; Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Slade, 65) 7

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.