Here's how Scotland and Ireland rated at Murrayfield . . .
SCOTLAND
Stuart Hogg few things that excite a packed house at Murrayfield quite like a skipping, dancing Stuart Hogg. Lit the crowd up early on but succumbed to injury 5
Tommy Seymour Had a bit of a nightmare early on when trying to find Maitland with a pass that really wasn’t on. Lived on half-chances and hope mostly 5
Huw Jones Lasted the duration of this one, maybe surprising given his inside man had by far the better game. Still look a pairing in tandem with Johnson however 5
Sam Johnson Right place, right time for the Glasgow centre as he profited from supporting Russell as he pounced on Carbery’s slackness. First try for Scotland 7
Sean Maitland A spectator as Seymour’s pass flew over his head that gifted Ireland their first score. Few chances, if any, to run at the Irish lines 5
Finn Russell At his opportunistic best as he intercepted Carbery’s pass and had the presence to pop up the ball for Sam Johnson to score and get Scotland back in the match. But quiet for too long 6
Greig Laidlaw The Scotland captain kept his side moving forward, and, maintained a real pace about his game. Must have been frustrated by turnover ball though 6
Allan Dell Really savoured the challenge against the Irish. Scrummed well and never creaked under pressure giving Scotland a good base to work from 6
Stuart McInally Up against the Irish captain but showed real leadership qualities of his own. Not seen in the loose as often but one amazing turnover tackle 6
Simon Berghan The Edinburgh tighthead did his job in tying down one corner of an immovable Scottish scrum. Not too many carries but defensively sound 6
Grant Gilchrist His CV could easily read ‘win the odd line out but mostly tackle myself to a standstill.’ Another shift and a half from the Edinburgh man 6
Jonny Gray An almighty clatter on Quinn Roux announced the Jonny Boy’s return to the international stage. Warriors lock maybe wasn’t his usual ‘8’ with one glaring fumble 5
Ryan Wilson Familiarised himself on several occasions with the Irish halfbacks, with a particular liking it appeared for Sexton. Reputations and all that. Didn’t emerge after interval 5
Jamie Ritchie Quick across the turf and really challenged Ireland’s midfield early on before his bloody hiatus. Came back for after in the second period 6
Josh Strauss Gained universal approval with his first touch, ploughing through Bundee Aki to make decent yardage. Combined with and protected Laidlaw well 6
REPLACEMENTS
Fraser Brown Pitched in to replace the tiring McInally after 67 minutes
Jamie Bhatti Showed up for the last ten
D'arcy Rae Another part of the all-Glasgow front row by the end
Ben Toolis He should have been on. No question
Rob Harley Given a bit of a run as a blood replacement for Ritchie, then replaced Wilson
Ali Price Replaced Laidlaw late in the day
Peter Horne given the last 15 minutes to do something
Blair Kinghorn Benched for this one but ended up getting three-quarters of the game because of Hogg’s issues. Equally exciting - 7
IRELAND
Rob Kearney Showed unaccustomed nervousness and uncertainty on occasions, especially chasing Russell’s probing kicks. Still a winner 7
Keith Earls Produced an incredible run and cover tackle to prevent Russell from getting a score. Showed great awareness to get up for crucial score 7
Chris Farrell Defensively did everything asked of him - but this was a day when the ball passed through his hands more often than he decided to run with it 6
Bundee Aki Got an early if unwanted wake-up call and touch, namely the shoulder of Josh Strauss, which knocked him backwards, and then handled in the ruck. It got better though 6
Jacob Stockdale Applied the crucial chip ahead with lead to Ireland’s first score. But his blistering pace and finishing prowess undid the Scots in the first half. He is the real deal 7
Jonathan Sexton The World Player of the Year is a difficult man to tie down. His perfectly timed inside flip to Stockdale split the Scottish defence 6
Conor Murray Scotland’s favourite Irishman delivered a body blow to the Scots early on when he profited from Seymour’s generosity. A handful for Laidlaw, and the Scottish backrow 7
Cian Healy Not the easiest man to shift, either when packing down against him or when the Clontarf man was on the hoof. Sound throughout 7
Rory Best A talisman, a leader and a winner. One of those qualities get most folk a game, which makes Best a real handful. As Scotland found out the hard way 7
Tadhg Furlong Unspectacular, get the job done merchant, who was a rock in the Irish frontrow. All you can ask of an international No.3 7
James Ryan The more experienced of the Irish second-row - if you can say that when you have 15 of the 26 caps on show 6
Quinn Roux There have been better combinations in the Irish boiler room and better players. But Roux formed a decent pairing in tandem with Ryan 6
Peter O’Mahony A useful go-to man in the lineout, but his work on the deck and clearing rucks was pretty amazing on occasions. What else would you expect 8
Sean O’Brien Good carrier for the duration he was on the field, and like all good No.7’s, tried to leave one or two on the opposition stand-off. Old school 7
Jack Conan If ever there was a man who should be a Barbarian it’s the current Irish eight. Get it? Sound performer who is getting better - 7
REPLACEMENTS
Sean Cronin Gave Best a breather
Dave Kilcoyne ‘Killer’ got the last 20 minutes
Andrew Porter Made it into the action for Furlong
Ultan Dillane Second-half sub for Roux
Josh van der Flier One of the Leinster van der Fliers, I’m told
John Cooney Given four minutes to get dirty
Joey Carbery Came on to replace the bleeding Sexton and telegraphed the play which led to Scotland opening try. Made amends setting up the match-clinching try -
Jordan Larmour Sub for golden boy Stockdale
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