Scotland 30-21 England: Six Nations player ratings from Murrayfield

Scotland

15 Blair Kinghorn Has been in cracking form for Toulouse and return to Scottish colours after injury was eagerly awaited. Very strong in defence. 7

14 Kyle Steyn Another who missed the France defeat, his return after birth of his daughter was unspectacular but played a key defensive role. 6

13 Huw Jones Played a big role in Van der Merwe’s first try and was always a threat with ball in hand. Very impressive evening’s work. 6

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12 Sione Tuipulotu Partnership with Jones is a huge factor in Scotland’s progress. But sadly hobbled off in the first minute of the second half. 6

11 Duhan van der Merwe England’s nemesis at Twickenham last year and was so again with a stunning hat-trick. Late yellow card could not spoil his night. 9

10 Finn Russell (co-capt) Always going to be a major influence. Didn’t use that full box of tricks but he is just not missing kicks this tournament. 7

9 Ben White At fault for the Furbank try but the France-based scrum-half recovered well to keep the England back row honest. 6

1 Pierre Schoeman Raw power at scrum-time against the experienced Dan Cole was vital and the South African made some key tackles. 7

2 George Turner Very dynamic hooker and his throwing-in was important factor in a strong lineout. Looks the best No 2 in the tournament. 7

3 Zander Fagerson Early departure for a head injury assessment rocked the Scottish scrum but returned to add real solidity to the set piece. 7

4 Grant Gilchrist His red scrum cap was everywhere. Made some important carries. Another good display in the lineout and at restarts. 6

5 Scott Cummings Glasgow lock was outstanding in the lineout, a phase that was a strength of both sides. Good, powerful 80 minutes. 6

6 Jamie Ritchie Omission from the side against France raised a few eyebrows and if he had a point to prove he did it with an impressive return. 6

7 Rory Darge (co-capt) Was always going to be a menace at the breakdown. Gives Scotland’s back row some real energy. 6

8 Jack Dempsey Another key man at the breakdown. He is an unshowy player but covered every blade of the Murrayfield grass. 6

Replacements: Ewan Ashman (for Turner, 53min) 5; Alec Hepburn (Schoeman, 61) 5; Elliot Millar-Mills (Fagerson, 61) 6; Sam Skinner (Gilchrist, 67) 5; Andy Christie (Ritchie, 53) 5; George Horne (White, 62) 5; Ben Healy (Redpath, 72 blood replacement) 5; Cameron Redpath (Tuipulotu, 41) 7

England

15 George Furbank Picked to give England more of an attacking edge. Took five minutes to justify his place but the dream start did not continue. 6

14 Tommy Freeman Struggled to impose himself on the game but he was starved of possession for most of it. Solid in defence. 6

13 Henry Slade Key man in the England blitz defence but has made hardly any carries in the tournament and offers little attacking threat. 5

12 Ollie Lawrence England needed the centre to thunder across the gainline but he could not convert his club form to the international arena. Will improve. 5

11 Elliot Daly Not the only England back struggling for his best form. A switch to outside-centre could be a solution against Ireland. 6

10 George Ford Another excellent display. Drop goal hauled England back into the game. Good defensively and not overshadowed by Russell. 7

9 Danny Care In his 99th cap the scrum-half justified his first Six Nations start for six years but replacement Ben Spencer added zip. 6

1 Ellis Genge Picked for his dynamism in the loose rather than scrummaging power but conceded nothing in the scrum to Zander Fagerson. 6

2 Jamie George (capt) Playing under a weight of grief after his mother’s death, the captain led from the front on a difficult evening for his side. 7

3 Dan Cole A Cole-powered scrum worked in the first half and the 36-year-old also made some key tackles. Fully justified his selection. 6

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4 Maro Itoje Made some powerful carries and was an imposing figure in the lineout but could not replicate his form from the game against Wales. 6

5 Ollie Chessum Was as belligerent as ever but gradually faded from the game. May come under pressure for starting place against Ireland. 5

6 Ethan Roots Gives the back row an edge but as the game continued he faded from view and George Martin should start against Ireland. 5

7 Sam Underhill England’s best forward. An absolute beast at the breakdown and the one England player improving as the tournament goes on. 8

8 Ben Earl Man-of-the match against Wales and was again a dynamic figure in back row again. Made some vital carries and defensively strong. 7

Replacements: Theo Dan (for George, 67min) 5; Joe Marler (Genge, 61) 5; Will Stuart (Cole, 55) 5; George Martin (Roots, 47) 6; Chandler Cunningham-South (Underhill, 55) 5; Ben Spencer (Care, 47) 6; Fin Smith (Ford, 61) 5; Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Slade, 65) 7