Six Nations: How the Scotland players rated against Italy - two stand-out players in victory

Blair Kinghorn rose to the challenge of replacing Finn Russell at stand-off as he scored a hat-trick of tries to help Scotland end their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a bonus-point 26-14 victory over spirited Italy.

Chief Rugby Writer

Published 18th Mar 2023, 19:55 GMT

Updated 18th Mar 2023, 20:13 GMT

The versatile Edinburgh back went over the line either side of half-time to add to an earlier touchdown by Duhan Van Der Merwe. And he then completed the scoring in the last moment of a hard-fought game as the Scots fended off an Azzurri fightback to ensure they ended the championship with three wins out of five for the first time since 2018.

We give each player in the Scotland XV a mark out of ten for their performance at BT Murrayfield.

Along with Jack Dempsey, made most carries - 13 - of any Scotland player. Lung-busting effort before making way for Rory Sutherland on 59 minutes. 7

. Pierre Schoeman

Along with Jack Dempsey, made most carries - 13 - of any Scotland player. Lung-busting effort before making way for Rory Sutherland on 59 minutes. 7 Photo: Andrew Milligan

Came close to a first-half try but wasn’t always on point at the lineout. 6

. George Turner

Came close to a first-half try but wasn’t always on point at the lineout. 6 Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group

Lasted an impressive 71 minutes before being replaced by WP Nel. Solid enough at scrum and had nine carries. 6

. Zander Fagerson

Lasted an impressive 71 minutes before being replaced by WP Nel. Solid enough at scrum and had nine carries. 6 Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group / S

Big boots to fill in replacing the injured Richie Gray and emerged with credit. 6

. Sam Skinner

Big boots to fill in replacing the injured Richie Gray and emerged with credit. 6 Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group / SRU

No Grant Gilchrist and Richie Gray meant he had to take on lineout responsibilities and did so. Impressive tackle stats as usual, making 14. 6

. Jonny Gray

No Grant Gilchrist and Richie Gray meant he had to take on lineout responsibilities and did so. Impressive tackle stats as usual, making 14. 6 Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group / SRU

Led well during difficult finale when he had to tread a fine line with referee Angus Gardner. Should be applauded for late decision to run final scrum. 7

. Jamie Ritchie

Led well during difficult finale when he had to tread a fine line with referee Angus Gardner. Should be applauded for late decision to run final scrum. 7 Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group / S

Along with Jack Dempsey, made most carries - 13 - of any Scotland player. Lung-busting effort before making way for Rory Sutherland on 59 minutes. 7

1. Pierre Schoeman

Along with Jack Dempsey, made most carries - 13 - of any Scotland player. Lung-busting effort before making way for Rory Sutherland on 59 minutes. 7 Photo: Andrew Milligan

Came close to a first-half try but wasn’t always on point at the lineout. 6

2. George Turner

Came close to a first-half try but wasn’t always on point at the lineout. 6 Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group

Lasted an impressive 71 minutes before being replaced by WP Nel. Solid enough at scrum and had nine carries. 6

3. Zander Fagerson

Lasted an impressive 71 minutes before being replaced by WP Nel. Solid enough at scrum and had nine carries. 6 Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group / S

Big boots to fill in replacing the injured Richie Gray and emerged with credit. 6

4. Sam Skinner

Big boots to fill in replacing the injured Richie Gray and emerged with credit. 6 Photo: Ross MacDonald - SNS Group / SRU

Finn Russell Scotland Six Nations Italy Edinburgh Duhan van der Merwe