Rory Sutherland. Three good performances that enhanced his already burgeoning reputation and one where injury forced his removal after 15 difficult minutes. Overall Suzz can be satisfied with his work. VERDICT - despite some additional loosehead competition coming available in the shape of Oli Kebble, Sutherland is clearly Scotland's number one No.1.
WP Nel. Not used against Georgia or Wales and then released back to Edinburgh for the clubs game V Scarlets but with the likely instruction that he was to be on the bench. Best laid plans sometimes don't survive contact with the enemy and Murray McCallum was injured after only 8 minutes. WP came on for the remainder of the game, destroyed the Scarlets scrum almost single handed and was man of the match. Off the bench for 15 mins v Italy and similar time against France and Italy. VERDICT – Despite still being an excellent scrummager, perhaps Scotland's best, others may offer more in the loose. I’d suggest his days in a Scotland shirt may be limited but only from age and not lack of ability.
Simon Berghan. A brief appearance off the bench V Wales and a start V France when he was hooked just after half time. The first scrum of that match didn’t happen until the 30th minute and when it did Scotland were bullied. Scrumming is nor Berghan’s strongest suit and he may have paid the price for that on this occasion. That said the Scottish scrum continued to struggle after his departure so it wasn’t all down to him. VERDICT - I expect to see more of Berghan for Scotland as WP Nel perhaps takes a step back but probably more as second string to Z Fagerson.
Jamie Bhatti. 13 minutes against France with the scoring all done and the match all but decided. He has had as much chance to stake a claim for Scotland as he has had for Edinburgh. VERDICT – going backwards at pace.
Stuart McInally. In the opening two matches Rambo had to be content with minutes off the bench but punctuated both of those games with tries to add to his impressive scoring record for Scotland. He got a start against Italy, threw good darts and topped the tackle chart but was otherwise quiet by his own standards. He was due to be on the bench against Ireland but withdrew to attend the birth of his first child. VERDICT – It seems increasingly likely that Fraser Brown has usurped McInally as starting hooker for Scotland and this series of games probably hasn’t changed Townsend’s mind on that. There is little to choose between them though so if Brown slips up Rambo is in his rearview.
Ben Toolis. BBT played the full 80 minutes for Scotland against Georgia and had perhaps his best game for Scotland in a long time. He was, as always, impressive in the line out, caught the eye with a big break down the middle and made a nuisance of himself in the loose. Most observers indicated he had made it hard for Townsend going forward on the back of this performance but this was his last action for Scotland in this period. VERDICT- you have to think that Toolis’ excellence in the lineout has been eclipsed by the seemingly greater work of other second row candidates and he may be a bit part player going forward.
Jamie Ritchie. Only Duhan amongst the Edinburgh contingent had more playing time for Scotland this Autumn and arguably Ritchie’s minutes should have a multiplier against them such is the workrate required of a wing forward. Promoted to one of two Vice captains for the team. Huge workrate throughout this series and he was at his very best against Wales when amongst other highlights he topped the tackle count and carried more than anyone bar Johnny Gray. Picked up an injury against Italy early doors before being back in the side for another 80 minutes V France. Probably didn’t have his best game against Ireland playing at 7 but he hasn’t played there since November 2019 so I think we can cut him some slack on that given the work he has put in overall. VERDICT - amount of time on the park shows his value for Scotland and at a time when we keep crying out for someone with a bit of dog about them we need to value someone like Ritchie who sometimes (mostly) the only one with that attribute for Scotland. He’d be my captain right now.
Hamish Watson. Almost ever present until he was rested against Ireland and as a result was badly missed. Try scorer against Georgia and kept up his usual tireless work ethic throughout. Maybe not quite as many lung busting runs as we’ve come to expect but defensively sound throughout particularly in the tight game against Wales. VERDICT - There really is no one else available of his standard in his position for Scotland and he’s a player whom we all enjoy watching go about his business. Long may he continue.
Nick Haining. 15 minute cameo against Georgia followed by coming on as a 12th minute sub for Jamie Ritchie after 12 minutes against Italy. Didn’t last too long himself as he was replaced by Sam Skinner with 20 minutes to play. VERDICT- Didn’t really have much opportunity afforded to him but equally didn’t grab the chance he did get. He will need to put in some big performances for Edinburgh between now and 6N if he wants to still be in the mix. The good news for him is that Scotland are still trying to settle on a first choice 8.
Darcy Graham. Played in the first 3 games before sitting it out V France. He got Scotland’s first autumn try with a quick tap and go against Georgia and then picked up another late in the game. Against Wales and Italy he was his usual busy self without getting on the scoresheet which wasn’t a surprise given the defensive nature of the games from all countries in this series. Last game out against Ireland perhaps wasn’t his best. Failed to deal with a high ball in the in goal area and an overlap in the same corner with both of those leading to Irish tries. VERDICT – Did enough to retain his starting place. Underused.
Duhan Van Der Merwe. Full debut and debut try against Georgia. His stats for metres ran and defenders beaten would have surprised no one who watches him do the same for Edinburgh week in and out. A brief 8 minute cameo against Wales was followed by a man of the match 80 minute performance against Italy as well as a 2nd try. Another impressive performance followed against France even in defeat before he rounded off the series with another solo try against Ireland. VERDICT – the biggest success story for Scotland in this period. His step up to this level seemed effortless and if it hadn’t been for the greed of more established players he would have probably had even more than 3 tries in his opening 5 games. Still top try scorer for Scotland of this period.
Jaco Van Der Walt. Jaco made his debut for Scotland as a starter against Ireland as he gained residency status and completed quarantine following his wedding. For some, his inclusion was as inflammatory as the announcement that Dr Who was going to be a woman. Over the top and unnecessary. He had an excellent first half both with the ball in hand and from the tee as he got his first international points. On 30 minutes Duncan Taylor got a yellow card and with it Scotland’s discipline disintegrated and they fell out of the game as did Jaco, albeit he can’t take much of the blame for the way it went. VERDICT- too soon to tell but he is as good off the tee as Duncan Weir and offers more in an attacking sense so will be part of the Scotland set up going forward.
Blair Kinghorn. Started the autumn in good form in his club position of fullback against Georgia. Most metres, most defenders beaten and most clean breaks all topped off with a fine solo try towards the end of the match. He was back to the wing for the remaining games of the period with 80 minutes against both Wales and France bookending 15 minutes against Italy. Always busy and hard to stop. His defence has improved however distribution remains a bone of contention. A fault he shares with the team captain however when he does it it seems more a conscious decision not to pass than faulty decision making. VERDICT - With first choice wingers in the shape of Graham and now Van Der Merwe as well as the fullback berth being occupied for the most part Kinghorn will have to content himself with a seat on the bench or a starter where there is an injury. Townsend clearly values his versatility in that regard so I’d expect him to continue as a regular member of the squad.
Damien Hoyland – Injured. Damo was probably a surprise call up but his early season form had probably merited it. Injured in Scotland training he took no part in proceedings. VERDICT – hard to see how he can have enhanced his chances especially with Duhan taking such a grip on one wing, Darcy on the other and Townsend’s penchant for moving Kinghorn to the wing in absence of either of those too.
Grant Gilchrist – injured. Following his injury whilst playing for Edinburgh at Munster Gilchristst had to undergo surgery and took no part in the games for Scotland. It will be hard to see him force his way back into the starting XV in the near future as it appears that Scott Cummings and Jonny Gray are the preferred engine room combination with back up from Sam Skinner. VERDICT – without jumping for one line out ball Gilco’s Scotland chances have taken a big blow.
Time on the field for Scotland
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