Scotland player ratings: Who thrived and who toiled in defeat by Ireland in Autumn Nations Cup?
Two tries from Keith Earls, plus one from Cian Healy continued the home side’s recent dominance of the fixture. Duhan van der Merwe’s fine second-half score was scant consolation for the Scots who have not won in Dublin for over ten years.
So how did Gregor Townsend’s men rate in defeat?
Simply scroll down and click through the pages to see how The Scotsman rated Scotland’s players.
Simply scroll down and click through the pages to see how The Scotsman rated Scotland’s players.
5. Jonny Gray
Disrupted the Irish lineout to good effect, particularly in the first half when Scotland were in the ascendancy. 7 Photo: Getty Images
6. Blade Thomson
Returned to the side but at blindside flanker rather than in his usual No 8 role. The reshaped back row experiment was not an unqualified success. 5 Photo: Craig Williamson/SNS
7. Jamie Ritchie
Shuffled over to blindside to accommodate Thomson. Gave away couple of penalties but also completed 15 successful tackles. 6 Photo: Ian Rutherford/PA
8. Matt Fagerson
Only Jonny Gray (20) made more tackles than the younger Fagerson (18) at the Aviva. But was a tough old game as Ireland had the best of the back-row battle. 6 Photo: Brian Lawless/PA