Player ratings: The drought continues

OPINION: Scotland was unable to back up last weekend’s Calcutta Cup win as they fell to another defeat in Cardiff.

Scotland struggled to get a foothold in the second half and a yellow card for Finn Russell with 14 minutes to play proved crucial as Wales took the lead with a Dan Biggar drop-goal.

Wales avenged their defeat to Ireland in round one as Scotland’s long winless run in the Welsh capital continued.

Gavin Harper rates the Scottish players!

15. Stuart Hogg – 7.5
Looked dangerous in attack with outstanding footwork. The visitors used his boot well to clear their lines.

14 Darcy Graham – 7
Electric last week and continued that with an outstanding finish in the corner from his only first-half opportunity. The man from Hawick consistently punches well above his weight.

13. Chris Harris – 7
Threatened the Welsh midfield with ball in hand – nearly put his midfield colleague away after one break. Also marshalled the defensive effort well.

12. Sione Tuipulotu – 7
Into the side for his second cap and tasked with giving Townsend’s side front-foot ball. He delivered on that and showed soft hands to allow Russell space for the opening try. Three touches in the move that put Scotland ahead early in the second half.

11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6
Scotland needs to get the big winger in the game more. He did make a lovely break up the touchline, but should have looked inside. Two really poor knock-ons late on.

10. Finn Russell – 5
Looked sharp in attack – kept Scotland ticking over and a lovely pass to put Graham over the highlight. Some excellent kicking to pin the hosts back despite an errant restart and penalty to touch. His yellow card was costly.

9. Ali Price – 6
His quick service helped put Scotland on the front foot. Varied his range of passing well.

1. Pierre Schoeman – 7
An excellent jackal penalty gave Scotland territory from which Russell extended their lead. Came back on for Sutherland and made a total of 10 tackles.

2. Stuart McInally – 6.5
The former skipper made six tackles and five carries in the first half, while the lineout functioned well. Added an outstanding turnover with Wales on the attack just before half-time.

3. Willem Nel – 6
Nine tackles and some good touches on attack in his 44 minutes. Will be disappointed to have been penalised at the first scrum as the home side took the lead.

4. Jonny Gray – 6.5
Another workmanlike performance with five carries into the Welsh forwards. Made 15 tackles for his 62 minutes and claimed three lineouts.

5. Grant Gilchrist – 6
A big shift on his 50th cap. Ensured the lineout was an efficient source of possession and contributed 12 tackles and four carries. Will rue the two soft penalties he gave away that cost the visitors six points.

6. Sam Skinner – 7
Worked his socks off despite being unable to put pressure on the Welsh lineout. Topped the defensive effort with a mammoth 21 tackles and a vital lineout turnover that gave Scotland a chance in the closing stages.

7. Hamish Watson – 6.5
Continued his impressive defensive statistics – still hasn’t missed a Six Nations tackle since 2019, but only one turnover as he was again negated well at the breakdown.

8. Matt Fagerson – 6.5
Made six carries for 49m – including beating a couple of tackles with his first touch, but was forced off on the half hour after rolling his ankle.

Replacements

16. George Turner – 5
Didn’t add the desired impact and conceded a penalty that allowed Wales the lead with 15 minutes to go.

17. Rory Sutherland – 5
On as part of a full front row change, but scrums were scrappy and was forced off just after the hour. Has been an important part of Townsend’s squad, so the coach will hope it’s nothing too serious.

18. Zander Fagerson – 5
On four minutes into the second half, but as a whole Scotland’s replacement front row didn’t get on top as would surely have been the plan.

19. Magnus Bradbury – 6.5
Has looked back to his best for Edinburgh, but not able to get on the ball in the wide expanses in a tight contest. A real threat running the ball back from deep.

20. Rory Darge – 6
Replaced Jonny Gray to make his Scotland debut on 62 minutes. Threw himself into everything with four tackles, but Scotland were on the back foot.

21. Ben White – 5
Unable to have the same impact as his sensational debut last weekend as the game ebbed away from the visitors.

22. Blair Kinghorn – 5
Moved to fly-half this season and sent on with Russell in the sin-bin, but unable to rescue the game.

23. Cam Redpath – N/A
No time to make an impact.

Source: RugbyPass