Scotland Player Ratings v Italy

Scotland Player Ratings v Italy

Scotland crushed Six Nations whipping boys Italy with an eight-try demolition in Edinburgh as the ill-disciplined Azzurri suffered a 52-10 defeat.


Two tries from hooker David Cherry on his first start, plus a double from Duhan van der Merwe, helped the home side steam to an emphatic win.

Here is how we rated Gregor Townsend's men.

15. Sean Maitland - 7

 
Kept in Italy's first penalty kick to touch in well and went on to have a strong outing. Maitland dovetailed well with Stuart Hogg as he stepped into the first receiver role. His break lead to a try for Darcy Graham and was involved in a lot of what Scotland did well in the first half. Replaced after 55 minutes and may well be key on Friday if he is available for the Scots.
 
 
14. Darcy Graham - 7
 
Ran some nice support lines which lead to his try. He was smashed by Monty Ioane but recovered nicely and still ran at the Italy defence well on the counter attack and defended well. 
 
 
13. Huw Jones - 9
 
Had a few passes that weren't quite accurate enough as his support had to check their run on attack. However, it was a bright performance overall from Jones as he scored another try and sparked a number of great attacks for the Scots. He also defended strongly. 
 
 
 
12. Sam Johnson - 8
 
Sam Johnson has made a name for himself for doing the basics well for Scotland and it was another solid outing for the 27-year-old. 
 
He shifted the ball nicely throughout the game as Scotland spread the ball wide reguarlly. Johnson also made his tackles and beat a few defenders.
 
A game that won't make the headlines but just as important as any other performance. He did well to finish his chance too. Replaced with 15 to go. 
 
 
 
 
11. Duhan van der Merwe - 8.5
 
One of the biggest threats to the Italian defence, van der Merwe beat 10 defenders by half time and scored a try. 
 
If he wasn't beating the defenders with his footwork, he was busting through tackles doing some over 13 times. He was unlucky not to score a second just after the hour mark but completed a brace before the end of the game.
 
 
 
 
10. Stuart Hogg - 7.5
 
 
Ran Scotland's attack nicely and injected pace when need at flyhalf. Made the switch to fullback and continued to shine. 
 
 
 


9. Scott Steele - 7
 
 
A good first start for the scrumhalf who managed to find a way over the line for his first score. A few hiccups along the way but a solid game overall.
 
 
1. Rory Sutherland - 7
 
 
Scotland's backs were allowed to create havoc and it was largely down to their dominance up front. Sutherland got the job done up front to help set that platform to attack from.
 
 
2. David Cherry - 8
 
Two tries, a good set piece performance and made over 30 running metres. Couldn't have dreamed of a first test start better than that. 
 
 
 
3. Zander Fagerson - 7
 
Under pressure early on in the scrum conceding a penalty but recovered well to have a solid game. 
 
 
4. Sam Skinner- 7
 
Defended well, not that Scotland did too much of that. Good at the set-piece and carried strongly.
 
 
 
5. Grant Gilchrist - 7
 
A well rounded game making some good carries, passes and defended nicely. 
 
 
 
6. Jamie Ritchie - 7.5
 
 
Another strong performance from Ritchie as he shone at the breakdown, smashed into the Italian defence making over 20 metres. 
 
 
 
7. Hamish Watson - 9 
 
 
His outstanding form continued for Scotland in a superb man of the match performance. Topped the carry count in the game and made over 40 running metres. 
 
 
He linked up well with teammates two with 7 passes and two offloads. 
 
 
8. Matt Fagerson - 8
 
Penalised for a high shot in the first five minutes but Fagerson was excellent on both sides of the ball in a very complete performance. 
 
He was the top tackler for Scotland and managed over 40 running metres from his 12 carries. 
 
 
 
 
Replacements: George Turner (6), Jamie Bhatti (6), Simon Berghan (6), Alex Craig (6.5), Nick Haining (5), Ali Price (7.5), Jaco van der Walt (6.5), Chris Harris (5.5)

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