Six Nations: Scotland’s players rated

15 STUART HOGG - 5

Missed tackle for the Italian try and though he caught well and tried to provide a spark from the back, was resigned to brief spells on ball.

14 MAX EVANS - 6

The winger came looking for ball, was the liveliest back and defended well, but made no real headway going forward.

13 NICK DE LUCA - 4

Lively presence in attack and defence early on, but a second needless yellow card of the championship stiffened Scots’ task.

12 GRAEME MORRISON - 6

Strong in defence and strived to provide lead with uncompromising runs, but frustration was clear when embroiled in a first-half spat.

11 SEAN LAMONT - 5

Rarely viewed in the game as attempts to bring him into play were brief as Scotland gave up possession all too frequently.

10 GREIG LAIDLAW - 5

Struggled throughout to make headway in attack, with Scotland losing possession too easily, so lacked territory and control.

9 MIKE BLAIR - 5

Beavered away without really finding any incision and struggled to maintain momentum as Scottish attack ran aground too easily.

1 JON WELSH - 7

A sudden debut for the Glasgow loosehead after Allan Jacobsen sprained ankle in the warm-up, but a good one with some great scrums.

2 ROSS FORD (captain) - 4

The hooker’s chief role is to provide good lineout ball and lineout was shocking so for all his effort elsewhere it was a game to forget.

3 GEOFF CROSS - 6

Worked hard in the scrum with some good results and great drives, and also toiled in defence, so one of few good spots.

4 RICHIE GRAY - 5

Lock lacked opportunity to make his usual galloping runs and while he defended stoutly he lacked influence.

5 JIM HAMILTON - 4

One of the big lock’s poorest games as the lineout malfunctioned and a series of penalties cost him ten minutes in the sin-bin.

6 JOHN BARCLAY - 5

Like his team-mates he worked hard in defence, but struggled to see much daylight going forward.

7 ROSS RENNIE - 6

Another tireless display and hard stint at the breakdown and in defence but with mixed results.

8 DAVID DENTON - 6

The forward (below) toiled manfully, was good defensively and provided lead going forward in a tough battle, but was guilty of losing ball too.