Scotland Vs Italy Player Ratings As Huw Jones Hat-Trick Proves The Difference In Edinburgh

Here are our Scotland Vs Italy player ratings following Saturday’s Six Nations round-one clash at Murrayfield, which Scotland won 31-19. 

Scotland Vs Italy Player Ratings

Scotland Player Ratings

15 – Blair Kinghorn: 7

Marshalled the backfield excellently and slotted in at first receiver, allowing Finn Russell to pop up in more space. Didn’t offer much on the counter but did his job well.

14 – Darcy Graham: 7

Was kept largely quiet, but exploded into life in the final quarter to dance through from deep and set up Huw Jones’ second try.

13 – Huw Jones: 10

Couldn’t have done more for his team. Scored a hat-trick and cemented his Lions credentials with a phenomenal performance.

12 – Stafford McDowall: 5

Huge shoes to fill in the absence of Sione Tuipulotu, but was mostly anonymous throughout the game. Didn’t do anything wrong, but also added little.

11 – Duhan van der Merwe: 8

A perfect balance of power and poise as he danced down the touchline to set up the first Jones try. Physical on both sides of the ball and put in the kind of shift we have come to expect.

10 – Finn Russell: 6

Was a loose and patchy performance from the Bath fly-half. Threw the interception that saw Juan-Ignacio Brex score and bring Italy level, but was also involved in some of Scotland’s best attacking play.

Ultimately got away with an off day, but can’t afford to make as many mistakes against Ireland next week.

9 – Ben White: 8

Really strong performance and managed the tempo well. Got on the end of Dave Cherry’s offload to score a well deserved try.

8 – Matt Fagerson: 7

Put himself about all game and was relentlessly physical. Quietly did the hard graft that ensured his side stayed on top at the breakdown and got the win.

7 – Rory Darge: 8

Another, like Huw Jones, who really threw his name into Lions contention. Dominant at the breakdown and so hard-working, really stood out for the Scots.

6 – Jamie Ritchie: 7

Not quite as impressive as the other two Scottish back rowers, but still a good performance and maintained the high standards he has set in recent years.

5 – Grant Gilchrist: 7

Solid in the line-out and got around the park well, another who did the unseen work, allowing others to shine.

4 – Jonny Gray: 6

A good showing on his long-awaited return to test rugby. Not required to make as many tackles as he’s known for, but delivered in his role and helped the team well.

3 – Zander Fagerson: 8

Played well into the closing stages and was a monster around the fringes. A real tough day at the coal face for the tighthead who more than earned his keep, and provided a solid platform at the scrum.

2 – Dave Cherry: 8

A silky back-door offload try assist isn’t something you expect from a hooker, but Cherry delivered it perfectly to set up Ben White.

It’s been over a year since his last test match but what a great return. Line-out was near-perfect as well.

1 – Pierre Schoeman: 6

Got on with his job with minimal fuss. Didn’t stand out like he has done in other games, but solidified the scrum and carried well around the park.

Replacements: 7

The Scottish bench came on to good effect and helped wrestle back momentum in the final quarter.

Particular praise must go to Tom Jordan and George Horne who were both excellent when they came on.

Italy

15 – Tommaso Allan: 8

Kept the Italians in it with his boot and was one of their best players throughout. Kicking game was good but ultimately lost out.

14 – Ange Capuozzo: 6

Never got the ball in space and seems far more suited to fullback then wing. Effectively nullified by Scotland and will be disappointed.

13 – Juan Ignacio Brex: 8

Another superb showing capped off by the intercept try. Smashed anything that came at him and carried hard all game.

12 – Tommaso Menoncello: 8

Brex and Menoncello are quietly becoming one of the best midfield combos in world rugby. Another top-draw performance alongside his centre partner.

11 – Monty Ioane: 6

Italy really struggled to get the ball to their outside backs. Another, like Capuozzo, who suffered as a result. A quiet game he will quickly forget.

10 – Paolo Garbisi: 6

Some good and bad moments from the fly-half but ultimately couldn’t get the Italian attack going. They’ll need more than interception tries if they want to win games this tournament.

9 – Martin Page-Relo: 6

Poor box kicking and outclassed by his opposite number. Will know he’s better than he showed at the weekend and will hope to prove it against Wales.

8 – Lorenzo Cannone: 6

Carried hard and was involved throughout. Put himself about but Scotland won the breakdown battle.

7 – Michele Lamaro: 6

Not his best game given the levels he’s shown before. No lack of endeavour but didn’t have as much influence as he’d have wanted.

6 – Sebastian Negri: 7

Great shift from the big man, back to his hard-carrying best. Worked relentlessly in attack and defence and was Italy’s best back rower.

5 – Federico Ruzza: 5

Poor line-out drills cost Italy in the first half and gave Scotland a commanding lead.

4 – Dino Lamb: 5

As above, wasn’t good enough at set-piece and didn’t play as well as he has done since breaking into the Italy side.

3 – Simone Ferrari: 8

Excellent from the tighthead, solid in the scrum and worked hard around the field. Melted a few big Scottish ball carriers in defence.

2 – Giacomo Nicotera: 6

The other piece of the malfunctioning line-out. Wasn’t bad around the pitch but set-piece is a hooker’s bread and butter and he needs to improve.

1 – Danilo Fischetti: 8

Like Ferrari, he was superb all game. A couple of steals at the breakdown and some excellent scrummaging from the big fella.

Replacements: 6

Not a bad showing from the bench, with Manuel Zuliani and Simone Gesi doing their best to change the game. But errors and poor execution cost the Azzurri in the end.