Scotland player ratings vs Italy as Gregor Townsend's men started their 2025 Six Nations with a comprehensive win against the Azzurri.
Find your local Greene King and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
The home side entered the tournament without talismanic centre Sione Tuipulotu but their performance today suggested they are not rueing his loss.
Scotland started with usual suspects in the back three of Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, and Duhan van der Merwe. Finn Russell co-captained from out-half, lining up alongside his familiar halfback partner of Ben White, while Rory Darge provided the other captaincy role from open side flanker.
Scotland’s Six Nations campaign kicked off with a bang as Huw Jones ran in a sensational hat-trick to secure a nervy victory over Italy at Murrayfield.
Gregor Townsend’s side looked to be in cruise control early on, racing into a 14-0 lead within the first 10 minutes thanks to tries from Rory Darge and Jones. Scrum-half Ben White added a third before half-time, latching onto a stunning offload from hooker Dave Cherry to send Scotland in 19-9 ahead.
But Italy refused to roll over. Tommaso Allan kept them in touch with the boot, and when Juan-Ignacio Brex picked off a Finn Russell pass to sprint home for a converted try, the scores were suddenly level.
With the pressure on, Scotland found another gear. A breathtaking break from Darcy Graham carved open the Italian defence, allowing Jones to grab his second. Minutes later, the centre completed his hat-trick in style, beating three defenders to wrap up the win just after the hour mark.
Scroll down for Scotland vs Italy player ratings:
SCOTLAND: 31
- Tries: Rory Darge(03'), Huw Jones(08', 60', 65'), Ben White(28')
- Conversions: Finn Russell (04', 09', 61')
- Penalties:
ITALY: 19
- Tries: Juan Ignacio Brex(45')
- Conversions: Tommaso Allan(46')
- Penalties: Tommaso Allan(20', 23', 38', 43')
SCOTLAND PLAYER RATINGS VS ITALY:
15. Blair Kinghorn - 8
Assured performance. Kinghorn was brilliant aerially, giving Scotland an attacking platform throughout the game. Linked up well with both his wingers and carried a whopping 18 times.
14. Darcy Graham - 7
Graham was a constant threat in the air, contesting many of Scotland’s kicks. Made a try from nothing with a brilliant break, giving the Scots much-needed momentum.
13. Huw Jones - 8.5
Three tries in a great performance. Jones marked his 20th Scottish career try with his first, running a brilliant support line. His third was the sweetest of the three, beating three Italian defenders in the corner and powering over to reach for the line.
12. Stafford McDowall - 7
Scottish fans will have been interested to see his impact given Tuipulotu’s absence, and McDowall slotted in with ease. A confident performance.
11. Duhan van der Merwe - 7
Linked well with Kinghorn throughout the game, giving Scotland an attacking platform. Showed real maturity to look inside and offload to Jones for his first try.
10. Finn Russell - 6
Russell had a so-so afternoon. Scotland had great attacking shape in the first quarter but seemed to lose it, and his silly pass was picked off by Brex, letting him saunter through. Wasn’t at his vintage best today.
9. Ben White - 8
White was superb today. The Toulon man has been out of favour at club level but kicked brilliantly and seemed to be everywhere in both attack and defence.
1. Pierre Schoeman - 7
The Scottish scrum was poor throughout the game, but the loosehead carried brilliantly in open play with 15 dominant carries.
2. Dave Cherry - 7
The Scottish lineout was efficient, and their maul got going well at times. Grabbed a gorgeous assist with a lovely carry and offload out the back for White in the corner.
3. Zander Fagerson - 6
Fagerson will look for more from his set-piece performance next week, with the Italians dominant at the scrum. However, he was a constant presence in the carry.
4. Richie Gray - 7.5
Gray will be more than happy with his first game back in nearly two years. The second row was his usual destructive self with ball in hand and offered a constant defensive effort.
5. Grant Gilchrist - 7
Partnered Gray brilliantly in the second row, with the Scottish lineout perfect.
6. Jamie Ritchie - 6.5
Ritchie was the quietest of the back row today. Played 50 minutes with his usual workhorse-like display.
7. Rory Darge - 8.5
The co-captain was immense. Got Scotland off to a flyer, creating the early try with a brilliant steal before grabbing another turnover soon after. He was aggressive and powerful with ball in hand, often looking for offloads too. A sublime display leading from the front.
8. Matt Fagerson - 7.5
Fagerson, like Darge, was destructive and powerful in both attack and defence. Scotland’s second-highest tackler today with 10 in a strong display on both sides of the ball.
Replacements
16. Ewan Ashman - 6
The replacement hooker played the final half-hour, continuing Scotland’s perfect lineout and making a nuisance of himself around the breakdown as Italy looked to come back.
17. Rory Sutherland - 6
A competent and professional display from the ex-Lion for the final half-hour.
18. Will Hurd - 5
Hurd came on for the final 10 minutes and completed the basics well.
19. Gregor Brown - 6
Played 25 minutes with constant work rate on both sides of the ball.
20. Jack Dempsey - 7
Dempsey will be vying for a starting spot next week. A serious workload completed in a half-hour display, earning Scotland a vital try from turnover ball.
21. George Horne - 6
Horne struggled to find his kicking sweet spot but was trusted to continue the Scottish attack play off 9 and marshalled well.
22. Tom Jordan - 6
Came on for 25 minutes in an assured display.
23. Kyle Rowe - 5
Closed out the final minutes.
Editors Picks:
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- Finn Russell’s Missus Shuts Down Trolls with Savage Response
- England Rugby stars wife shows off stunning body transformation after losing 26kg
- Four players Wales must drop – and who should replace them
- Finn Russell’s Missus Shuts Down Trolls with Savage Response
PREDICTOR GAME:
You’ll have to be red-hot to get 15/15 in this 2010s Six Nations quiz
The Six Nations Championship, Europe’s premier rugby tournament, has delivered unforgettable moments and showcased some of the game’s greatest players.
From stunning tries to epic battles, the 2010s were packed with rugby brilliance.
Can you name the players who lit up the tournament during this golden decade? You’ll need to be on top form to get 15/15—are you up for the challenge? Let’s kick off!
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