how the scots played
STUART HOGG (7 out of 10) – Will have nightmares about butchering an easy try and got away with a cynical shove on his opposite number that finally energised the quiet crowd.
SEAN MAITLAND (7) – Solid shift from an often underappreciated player but couldn’t really get his attack going.
HUW JONES (6) – Looks to have shored up his shaky defence but little chance to show his attacking flair.
SAM JOHNSON (7) – Worked like a Trojan and ran some good lines, alas didn’t have the gas to reach the touchline after intercepting Murray’s pass.
BLAIR KINGHORN (6) – Didn’t see much of him, which when you’re six foot five standing on the wing isn’t a ringing endorsement.
ADAM HASTINGS (8) – Did everything he could to make sure Scotland didn’t miss Finn Russell, showed some nice flourishes and invention and offers more with the boot.
ALI PRICE (6) – Perhaps too eager to impress with George Horne breathing down his neck. Gave away a couple of penalties and put in one aimless box kick.
RORY SUTHERLAND (7) –
Trucked a lot of crash ball into the Irish defence after a near four-year absence.
FRASER BROWN (6) – Lineout went better than of late but still work to do.
ZANDER FAGERSON (7) – In the thick of things, in every sense. If there’s a dust-up, you can bet the burly prop will be involved. Solid citizen in the scrum.
JOHNNY GRAY (7) – Much better than in last year’s championship. But another to get on the ref’s wrong side at the breakdown.
SCOTT CUMMINGS (7) – Has cemented his place in the second row but we expect a bit more from the towering Glasgow Warrior.
JAMIE RITCHIE (8) – A Scotland captain of the not-sodistant future. Aggressive and with a real appetite for work and the ball, we should clone this fella.
HAMISH WATSON (6) – Not quite up to his usual wreckingball standards.
NICK HAINING (6) – Fifthchoice No. 8 showed safe hands to take a towering high ball early on.
REPLACEMENTS – Townsend left it late to go to his bench andnonecouldchangethe game, but it was good to see Cornell Du Preez back in dark blue after a horror injury.