How Scotland players rated in the autumn Tests

Scotland started off their autumn Test series with a win against Japan but lost heavily to South Africa before putting in a respectable performance against Australia despite losing 15 - 21. Here we look at how the each player rated during the campaign.

FULL-BACK AND WINGS

Sean Maitland

Ever-present at full-back in all three Tests and exploited space well against Japan. Confined to desperate defensive duties by a dominant South Africa and began to show his quality with good defence and brighter attacking play against the Wallabies. 7/10

Tommy Seymour

Two tries against Japan underlined his finishing quality. More restrained when South Africa effectively closed him down but flourished again in the close-run defeat by Australia. 7

Sean Lamont

Another autumn ever-present, Scotland ‘s most experienced player scored a deserved try against Japan, put in some try-saving tackles against South Africa and came within inches of crossing the Australian line. 8

Max Evans

Almost scored a try as replacement for final quarter against the Boks, looked hungrier and brought some spark to last quarter against the Wallabies that was reminiscent of the Evans of old. 6

CENTRES

Nick De Luca

Started all three Tests at outside centre and was convincing against Japan, but struggled to make an impact against South Africa. Was solid in defence against the Wallabies without being able to provide go-forward momentum. 7

Matt Scott

The 23-year-old Glasgow Warrior is highly rated by the coaches and he certainly didn’t disappoint with a skilful display of his potential against Japan, before a hand injury late in the game forced him out of the series. 7

Duncan Taylor

The Saracens man had three minutes at full-back against Japan, then a difficult time starting at centre as the Boks battered the home side, but retained the jersey for a useful but unspectacular performance against Australia. 6

HALF BACKS

Ruaridh Jackson

Started at stand-off against Japan and South Africa, bossing the former but permanently on the back foot for the latter as Springbok guts and guile knocked the whole Scotland team off its stride on the day. 6

Duncan Weir

First try as replacement stand-off against Japan, almost created a consolation try against South Africa in the same role with a deft grubber kick, and played 80 minutes despite some wayward kicking and handling against Australia. 7

Greig Laidlaw

A try against Japan put him over the 200 international points mark. Competent in the face of South Africa ’s dominance. Sharp and sparky against Wallabies, with place-kicking consistency. 7

Chris Cusiter

Late run-out against the Boks, and again against Australia to show there is value in his experience. 5

Henry Pyrgos

Late replacement at scrum-half against Japan, his clever kick set up a try for Lamont. 4

FRONT ROW

Ryan Grant

On for 30 minutes against Japan then injured, last 25 against South Africa, and started against Australia. Scrummaged well, but missed crucial tackle when Folau went through him for opener. 6

Euan Murray

The tighthead was more impressive in the loose than the set-piece against Japan, not available for the Boks, and off the bench against Australia for the last half hour to add strength and solidity. 6

Alasdair Dickinson

Try scorer against Japan as a replacement, but found it much harder going when starting against South Africa and Australia when he replaced Grant in the second half. 6

Moray Low

Not on against Japan but started at tighthead against South Africa and held his own to retain the position and repeat the performance against Australia. 6

Geoff Cross

Last ten minutes against Japan, no place for the prop against South Africa or Australia, so no chance to shine. 4

Ross Ford

Started all three Tests at hooker and is ever-present, but has lineout issues and lacked punch. Replaced early against Australia and has work to do to keep MacArthur at bay. 6

Pat MacArthur

Ten minutes and a second cap against Japan, then off the bench in the first half against Australia with coaches watching closely as he ran through the full hooker’s skill set. 6

Scott Lawson

Off the bench for last 25 minutes against South Africa , but didn’t figure for Japan or Australia. 5

LOCKS

Tim Swinson

Superb man-of-the-match performance against Japan but not enough to change pre-autumn plan of leaving him out of South Africa Test, and injured for Australian. 8

Alasdair Kellock

Effective without being outstanding against Japan and not considered in the hugely competitive mix for the 4 and 5 jerseys for the next two games. 5

Richie Gray

Didn’t find the Lions form that makes him such a formidable player and was off the pace against a rampant South African pack, so left out of Australian Test. 5

Jim Hamilton

Struggled with crucial early line-outs against South Africa and odd lapses against the Wallabies, but leader of men in the pack, belligerent, tireless and kept up aggression against Australia, albeit with a few penalties conceded. 7

Grant Gilchrist

Injuries meant the Edinburgh lock went straight into the team for a fourth cap against Australia and he put in a good, hard-tackling and hard-running performance. 7

Jonny Gray

Replaced his older brother for final quarter and first cap against Boks. Came off the bench for his second cap for final 15 minutes against Australia, but made presence felt with promising displays. 6

BACK ROW

Alasdair Strokosch

The Perpignan blindside tackled like a demon against both Japan and Australia but handling errors told and he was replaced before sitting out the Australia game. 6

David Denton

Started all three Tests, carried the ball intelligently with a physical presence and positive attitude that took him over gain line despite regularly starting on back foot. 8

Kelly Brown

Captained the side to victory over Japan, but sat out the Boks match. Restored to the captaincy and openside berth against Australia where the phenomenal workhorse recorded a huge tackle count. 7

Johnny Beattie

Fifteen minutes on the pitch when South Africa were cruising, then the Montpellier back row started against Australia at blindside and made one first-half break and 50 metre surge that had the crowd on its feet and reaffirmed his threat. 7

John Barclay

Last ten minutes against Japan for the Scarlets flanker, but average performance in an admittedly tough game with the Boks cost him a place in the Wallabies Test. 5

Kieran Low

The London Irish 23-year-old was blooded for his first cap against the Wallabies and handed a hospital pass for his first ball carry, but brief signs of promise. 5 