Scotland v Wales ratings thread

[hugh_woatmeigh]

These may seem a bit high - I have my second half specs on but good fun nonetheless. Quite a few players deserve to be singled out for their performances

Reid - 8 - really stabilised the scrum - the welsh got no change out of him at all. Good carrying and disruptive rucking.. sending AWJ flying at his own ruck in the first half was the highlight. Should have done better on the fringe for one of Webb's breaks.
Brown - 7 - he didn't set a foot wrong and the set pieces were perfect. Having said that I thought he had one of his quieter games in the loose & at ruck time actually.
Fagerson - 9 - Got the better of Mr Evans I thought. Offered himself as a carrier far more than the rest of the front row and I cannot believe he has only just turned 21. Phenomenal.
R Gray - 9 - I thought he outplayed Jonny today actually. Since the two of them have paired up consistently I think Richie has found a new lease of life. He's playing some of the best rugby of his career right now (or it could be the Toulouse move..). Don't think he made as many tackles or runs at Jonny but his runs were far more industrious - I'd imagine he made much more metres. He was also the first forward to the ruck at the end of the first half when we got turned over (Wales piled 10 men into it!)
J Gray - 8 - Excellent game, trucked the ball up when he had to and made his tackles as usual.
Barclay - 8 - I think we've found our new captain. Superb.
Hardie - 5 - maybe he would have played a stormer along with the rest of the team in the second half but Scotland need to move on from him just as they did with Cowan.
Wilson - 8 - Miss pass & conceding quite few pens probably lost him a couple of points but he was phenomenal otherwise. He was obviously out on his feet after 70 mins but still made his hits and carries. We really need to make sure we have the correct players in the 23 so that we can react to stuff like this. I'd have probably brought on Swinson even though he'd be OOP.

Price - 8 - the break showed exactly what he brings to the camp. Quick at getting the ball out as well although a couple of horrible passes but he will learn. Thought he also made a couple of superb tackles when Wales made their clean breaks.
Russell - 9 - clanger of a first half but he was world class in the second.
Visser - 8 - again may seem low but we cannot overlook the first half. It had me questioning whether he could hack it at international level - 3 turnovers conceded, plus missed tackles & batting balls back so they're 50/50. Having said that, the second half he was the difference. He was involved in pretty much all the turning points of that half - he bundled Webb into touch when Pyrgos couldn't get a hand to him, he was clinical with his try and he played an important role in Seymour's score. Really delighted he shut me and many others up.
Dunbar - 7 - good at ruck time & in defence. Used as a decoy far too often for my liking. He only had 3-4 carries maybe. I appreciate a lot of this is due to how we play - forwards often at first receiver and finn loves a miss pass but he needs to get into the game more.
Jones - 7 - As with Dunbar I don't think he's quite hitting his straps. He did a lot of good things though. That run at the end of the first half was excellent.
Seymour - 9 - World class. Not only has he got pace but he is just such a clever player. He works with Hogg so well.
Hogg - 9 - Where would we be without him? Defence still needs work though. Despite not having many tackles to make he missed more than anyone else.

Subs

Dell - 7 - made a real nuisance of himself when he came on. Good carries - more than Reid I believe! Didn't do enough to oust Gordon.
Ford - 6 - decent 10 min shift. Didn't do enough to get the shirt from Brown.
Watson - 9 - would be a 10 but point deducted for Webb's non try when the balls pilled out of the scrum. It was his side and whilst the second rows have to take some blame you cannot let that happen. Absolutely brilliant otherwise - turnovers, carries, tackles... perfect.
Pyrgos - 8 - he was excellent and may well have done enough to get the shirt from Price. Although he really should have tackled Webb when he scooped up that loose ball. He never should have been able to get near the try line.

[switchskier]

A little high on a few I think.

Reid was caught a number of times by Webb and that's one of his primary responsibilities, he gets a seven, maybe a six for me.

R Gray has found his game again and he worked really hard. Disruptive at rucks and mauls but for a nine I want to see a little more carrying.

Price was bright and sparky but his pass still needed more zip to counter an extremely aggressive (borderline offside) Welsh defence. Only a six for me but there's some promise there.

Seymour was great and worked hard but I expect nothing less from him. By his standards that was an eight rather than a nine.

[Big D]

Too high I think. Although I saw some twat give North a 6.

Watching it back, we played well in the second half but we still look like we weren't at our absolute best. Which is positive.

Reid 7 - worked hard, scrummed hard but caught out a couple of times defensively and didn't carrying that well.
Brown 7 - one of his quieter games in the loose but his set piece is improving and a lions bolter at 2.
Fagerson 7 - their LH got away with hinging every scrum Lacey was on the blind side of it. Big engine but being critical needs to carry more effectively. Tired in the scrum near the end but understandable.
Gray snr 8 - carrying better than anyone else in the tight 5 at the minute and has been great in and around the ruck area.
Gray Jnr 7 - busy as always. Carried more than big brother but not as well imo.
Barclay 8 - part of a back row that was dominated in the 1st half. Great in the second and captained well.
Hardie 5 - couple of decent hits but can't stay fit. Edinburgh need to cut him loose this off season. Cost v fitness isn't worth it.
Wilson 8 - emptied the tank. Couple of daft errors though.

Price 7 - some really good stuff but also a couple of mistakes. Felt he could have played quicker in 1st half.
Russell 8 - second half and kicking good. 1st half hit and miss.
Visser 9 - poor 1st half but exceptional match winning display in the second. Was positively involved in all key 2nd half moments.
Dunbar 7 - great in defence and once again under utilised in attack.
Jones 7 - kept a lid on their key back. Defended well enough and picked a great line for the 1st half break and the decoy for the try.
Seymour 8 - same as usual from him. Good all round performance.
Hogg 9 - took every high ball and a menace in attack.

Subs:
Dell 6 - good in loose, carried with energy.
Ford 6 - did OK bar losing the ball.in contact once.
Watson - 9 - after he came on the back row battle evened out then switched on the second half. Took the breakdown over completely in the last 15.
Pyrgos 7 - solid display.

[Big D]

Heres who gave North a 6 although I do agree with a lot of his Scotland ratings.
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-uni ... -1-4376751

[Big D]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/ ... x-nations/

[QwentyJ]

Might be just me but I think we're quite harsh on Hardie?
The only liability I can see is that he gets injured far too often.
Can't see Embra giving him away even considering.

[Big D]

Might be just me but I think we're quite harsh on Hardie?
The only liability I can see is that he gets injured far too often.
Can't see Embra giving him away even considering.

He's out of contract. Edinburgh need to upgrade positions/upgrade contracts first imo.

He is a good player, not quite as good as Watson but if the money is right for Edinburgh then I'd have no issue with him resigning. But Nel and Brisley renewals are more important as is getting McCallum on a full time contract. With GG and Manu OOC there is work to do replacing them. Backs need more signings too.

With a limited budget, as Glasgow are doing with Strauss and Reid leaving, Edinburgh need to cut its cloth accordingly.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

How good do some of you cats think our depth is? Cut Hardie loose like Cowan?? Fuck sake. Give yourself an uppercut Greg.

Not being "as good as Watson" isn't exactly damning fellas. Do any of you genuinely think sending one of our best, but massivly injury prone backrowers out the door to the English Prem or the Top 14 will be good for him? I'd like to see some backbone from Embra and the SRU. Look after the boy, if that means reducing his game time so be it.

Or you know, fuck it, something, something money...

[whatisthejava]

Its unfair to compare hardie and Watson, they offer different things to the game, Hardie does get injured to much but where its usually his face not alot you can do about his leg taking a bad hit

[Big D]

How good do some of you cats think our depth is? Cut Hardie loose like Cowan?? Fuck sake. Give yourself an uppercut Greg.

Not being "as good as Watson" isn't exactly damning fellas. Do any of you genuinely think sending one of our best, but massivly injury prone backrowers out the door to the English Prem or the Top 14 will be good for him? I'd like to see some backbone from Embra and the SRU. Look after the boy, if that means reducing his game time so be it.

Or you know, fuck it, something, something money...

Not to hijack the ratings thread on Embra but....

There needs to be some pragmatism re the OOC players. The following are all OOC:
LH - Cosgrove
TH - Eskimo, Berghan, McCallum*, Beavon
2nd Row - Bresler, Gilchrist
B/R - Manu, Hardie
9 - Kennedy
Centres - Allen, Tofilau
Wing - Helu

Edinburgh have £4.8milion plus whatever the SRU throw at it then this year. There are some players that are either key to Edinburgh or replacing them will be key to the starting XV.

Bennett has already been signed and will be on more than the other centres. Watson, Bradbury, Kinghorn and Sutherland have all had new contracts and realistically these will have been >10-15% pay jumps. Nel was reportedly offered £300k+, Bresler needs resigned, Gilchrist probably needs replaced, I think another 8 would need to be brought in in Manu goes. A senior 9 would be a wise signing.

There has to be other priorities before resigning Hardie (assuming he wants to resign), but as I say if the ££ is right then fair enough. The priority has to be turning Edinburgh around, that means improving the first choice XV and keeping the players that are absolutely vital to Edinburgh (I'd say Nel and Bresler are key).

* On a separate note, if the academy boys play as many games as McCallum has there should be an automatic upgrade to a pro contract IMO.

[Matt Ha]

Might be just me but I think we're quite harsh on Hardie?
The only liability I can see is that he gets injured far too often.
Can't see Embra giving him away even considering.

He's out of contract. Edinburgh need to upgrade positions/upgrade contracts first imo.

He is a good player, not quite as good as Watson but if the money is right for Edinburgh then I'd have no issue with him resigning. But Nel and Brisley renewals are more important as is getting McCallum on a full time contract. With GG and Manu OOC there is work to do replacing them. Backs need more signings too.

With a limited budget, as Glasgow are doing with Strauss and Reid leaving, Edinburgh need to cut its cloth accordingly.

Is Gilchrist injured again?

[Big D]

Might be just me but I think we're quite harsh on Hardie?
The only liability I can see is that he gets injured far too often.
Can't see Embra giving him away even considering.

He's out of contract. Edinburgh need to upgrade positions/upgrade contracts first imo.

He is a good player, not quite as good as Watson but if the money is right for Edinburgh then I'd have no issue with him resigning. But Nel and Brisley renewals are more important as is getting McCallum on a full time contract. With GG and Manu OOC there is work to do replacing them. Backs need more signings too.

With a limited budget, as Glasgow are doing with Strauss and Reid leaving, Edinburgh need to cut its cloth accordingly.

Is Gilchrist injured again?

No, apparently injury was the reason he stayed last year so he may be off in the summer. I should have said replacing/resigning him and Manu.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

How good do some of you cats think our depth is? Cut Hardie loose like Cowan?? Fuck sake. Give yourself an uppercut Greg.

Not being "as good as Watson" isn't exactly damning fellas. Do any of you genuinely think sending one of our best, but massivly injury prone backrowers out the door to the English Prem or the Top 14 will be good for him? I'd like to see some backbone from Embra and the SRU. Look after the boy, if that means reducing his game time so be it.

Or you know, fuck it, something, something money...

Considering Barclay was available and then Watson - we have wasted valuable international caps on Cowan and Hardie whether you like it or not.

Barclay's exclusion from the squad remains a mystery.

I was talking about int level BTW. Cowan was never contracted to a pro team. Scotland needs to move on, Hardie shouldnt be an integral part of those plans. I'm sure he will continue to be a fine servant for Edinburgh if he takes that route.

[Edinburgh in Exile]

How good do some of you cats think our depth is? Cut Hardie loose like Cowan?? Fuck sake. Give yourself an uppercut Greg.

Not being "as good as Watson" isn't exactly damning fellas. Do any of you genuinely think sending one of our best, but massivly injury prone backrowers out the door to the English Prem or the Top 14 will be good for him? I'd like to see some backbone from Embra and the SRU. Look after the boy, if that means reducing his game time so be it.

Or you know, fuck it, something, something money...

Considering Barclay was available and then Watson - we have wasted valuable international caps on Cowan and Hardie whether you like it or not.

Barclay's exclusion from the squad remains a mystery.

I was talking about int level BTW. Cowan was never contracted to a pro team. Scotland needs to move on, Hardie shouldnt be an integral part of those plans. I'm sure he will continue to be a fine servant for Edinburgh if he takes that route.

I know you were, I was talking in broad strokes deliberately. As you can see, myself and BigD disagree on this.

We wasted caps on Hardie? Honestly... I don't... I mean... Fuck it... I give up man.

Have at it.

[whatisthejava]

Hardie was class when he first came on the scene and if he could get a decent run of injury free games would push Watson, Watson is in the form of his life but will it last ?

Ive lost count of the number of players that have a cracking season or 2 and then crash, I actually think Itoje is starting to crash, its started with silly penalties but by the Lions I think he could be forcing alot more and it may not work for him.

[Big D]

Definitely haven't wasted caps on Hardie. Previously he was our best option at 7, he isn't at the moment but could be again at some point.