Zippy's Player Ratings - Wales vs Scotland

14. M Jones (7) – What a return from injury, we have a finisher with true lightening pace, didn’t see enough of the ball and we must use him.

13. H Luscombe (5) – Didn’t really get involved, basically him and Mathew J were playing for the number 13 jersey for when Henson returns next week, we all know who won that battle.

12. M Watkins: (8) – Looked really dangerous all day and showed his pace, coming on nicely and my choice to fill the number 13 jersey against Ireland, will he cope with BoD?

11. S Williams (6) – Took the ball into contact well and showed that part of his game is improving, still lacked the magic which we know is there.

10. S Jones (7) – Solid without being spectacular, his boot is becoming ever more reliable and he always keeps his head and looks the part, future Wales captain perhaps?

9. D Peel (8) - RBS Man of the Match performance, breaks from the base were as usual gamebreaking and quite simply a magnificent player.

8. M Owen (7) – Best game for some time and it was because he played like a number 8 rather than an additional fly half, dominated at the back of the line out.

7. M Williams (7) – Support play was as always top class and also did a lot of the donkey work on the floor which (True n07 work) has sometimes been missing from his game.

6. C Charvis (5) – Been absent from the 6 nations so far, could be scope to call up Dafydd Jones for the Ireland game?

5. R Sidoli (8) – Bounced back to form after criticism last week and put in an all action performance worthy of putting his name to.

4. I Gough (5) – Involved in the nasty Murray incident and put in another workmanlike performance, you have to feel he is holding the shirt for the meantime, whenever someone steps up (I Evans, Charteris?) they will take over.

3. A Jones (8) – A very underrated player, completely demolished his opposite number in the scrum and does a bit of work around the park, has the potential to become the most fearsome tight head in the world.

2. R Thomas (8) – His best game for Wales the line out worked and he got around the park, if he carries on this form then no one can touch him in Wales.

1. D Jones (8) – Brilliant in the set piece and does a lot of work around the park, Gethin Jenkins is a long way off the team.

Subs of Note:

Byrne – Thought he scored a perfectly good try

Sco Stars:

None really? Lamont, Paterson and Southwell were alright later on.

Overall Comments:

Wales started the game with serious intent and looked a danger from the word go, the penalty try will give great confidence to a Welsh pack who were well beaten only a week previously.

The sending off ended the game as a contest and Wales scored some great tries and put themselves back in the spotlight.

However the margin of 10 is disappointing and Wales should have really turned the screw and won by 30-40 points, still the win is just what the doctor ordered.

Next up a chance to right some wrongs at Lansdowne Road.

Match Summary:

Wales: G Thomas (capt); M Jones, Luscombe, Watkins, S Williams; S Jones, Peel; D Jones, R Thomas, Adam R Jones, Gough, Sidoli, Charvis, M Williams, Owen.
Replacements: M Davies for Thomas (77), G Jenkins for A R Jones (69), Adam M Jones for Sidoli (78), Delve for Charvis (67), Phillips for Peel (70), Robinson for Watkins (75), Byrne for Williams (70).

Scotland: Southwell; Paterson, MacDougall, Henderson, Lamont; Parks, Blair; Kerr, Lawson, Douglas, Kellock, Murray, White (capt), Hogg, Taylor.
Replacements: Ford for Lamont (54), Smith for Kerr (54), MacLeod for Hogg (67), Petrie for Kellock (67), Cusiter for Blair (70), Ross for Parks (61), Webster for MacDougall (67).