HOW SCOTLAND RATED
HEAD COACH — GREGOR TOWNSEND
Made some poor team selections, failed to change his tactics when needed and was simply out-thought by Warren Gatland. A harsh learning experience.
15 STUART HOGG
Tried to lift his team but it was all in vain. Ran down too many blind alleys but at least his commitment could not be faulted. Made 78 metres, more than any other Scot.
14 TOMMY SEYMOUR
Never hid and came off his wing to try and get involved. Decent under high ball but struggling to find the form that earned him a British and Irish Lions call-up last summer.
13 CHRIS HARRIS
First start could turn out to be his last. Struggled throughout and if Alex Dunbar or Duncan Taylor are fit for the France game, he could be forced out of the squad.
12 HUW JONES
Went into tournament being tipped to show he is world class. On this display he is a long way off. Try-saving tackle on Leigh Halfpenny but apart from that didn’t do much.
11 BYRON McGUIGAN
Decision to start him ahead of the more experienced Sean Maitland has to be called into question. Never got involved. Surely Maitland will take his place for France.
10 FINN RUSSELL
His 12 ball carries were more than any other Scotland player but when he ran from deep he was left isolated. Was relaxed before the game but wasn’t smiling at end.
9 ALI PRICE
Dreadful display after being given nod ahead of Greig Laidlaw. Gifted Wales the opening try to Gareth Davies and put in a crooked feed to the scrum. Cert to be axed.
1 GORDON REID
Worked hard and likely to keep his place against France with Jamie Bhatti on the bench again. The Scotland scrum competed well and can’t be blamed for the defeat.
2 STUART McINALLY
Put in tireless shift and tackled as best he could but couldn’t do it alone. Showed up well in open play and defensively was sound. Held his own at the scrum.
3 JON WELSH
With Simon Berghan set to return from suspension, he’ll drop to the bench against France. Played for 65 minutes before giving way for the uncapped Murray McCallum.
4 BEN TOOLIS
Deserves to be dropped for the game against France. Never got going and his rampaging performances in the November Tests were replaced by an insipid display.
5 JONNY GRAY
Put in more tackles (13) than any other Scot in a decent display. His early rampaging run built up Scottish hopes which didn’t last long after two early Welsh tries.
6 JOHN BARCLAY
Gave away two vital penalties just after half-time that pushed Wales out to a 20-0 lead. Embarrassed against a Welsh side that contained ten of his Scarlets team-mates.
8 CORNELL DU PREEZ
Picked to bring physicality to the back row which he never did. Totally outplayed by his opposite number Ross Moriarty. Should be replaced by Ryan Wilson for France.
7 HAMISH WATSON
Grafted hard and got to the breakdown quickly but didn’t win enough ball there. Had to feed off scraps most of the match and had to spend most of his time defending.
REPLACEMENTS
Scott Lawson 2 (McInally 70), Jamie Bhatti 2 (Reid 49), Murray McCallum 2 (Welsh 65), Grant Gilchrist 3 (Toolis 55), Ryan Wilson 4 (Du Preez 49), Greig Laidlaw 4 (Price 49), Peter Horne 4 (Harris 55), Sean Maitland 3 (McGuigan 55).
WALES
Leigh Halfpenny 8; Josh Adams 6, Scott Williams 6, Hadleigh Parkes 7, Steff Evans 9; Rhys Patchell 6, Gareth Davies 8; Rob Evans 7, Ken Owens 7, Samson Lee 7, Cory Hill 6, Alun Wyn Jones 8, Aaron Shingler 9, Ross Moriarty 8, Josh Navidi 7.
Replacements: Elliot Dee (Owens 63), Wyn Jones (R Evans 51), Tomas Francis (Lee 51), Bradley Davies (Hill 56), Justin Tipuric (Moriarty 65), Aled Davies (G Davies 66), Gareth Anscombe (Patchell 63), Owen Watkin (Williams 71).
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France). Attendance: 74,169.