Scotland player ratings vs France | 2025 Six Nations

Scotland player ratings: Scotland’s Six Nations campaign ended largely as expected with a 35-16 defeat at the Stade de France as the hosts sealed their first title since 2022 in Paris.

A third loss of the campaign condemned the Scots to a fifth fourth-place finish in the past six years.

Here is how the Scotland players fared:

15. Blair Kinghorn – 7.5

The Toulouse full-back regularly hit the line with menace and one brilliant counter saw him gallop through a hole and almost create a sensational try, only for his foot in touch to rule out Jordan’s score. Not without his faults and one over-cooked kick straight into touch spoiled one attack, but a class act who is likely to challenge for the Lions Test No.15 shirt if his club commitments allow.

14. Darcy Graham – 7

Slipped off a tackle on Bielle-Biarrey but always looking for work in attack and rewarded with his 31st Test try when he raced onto Russell’s inside pass to score. Couldn’t quite take another Russell pass but his X-factor talent should also put him in the Lions conversation.

13. Huw Jones – 7

Always a threat with ball in hand, with one dart down the right flank helping create the platform for the Scots’ first try, but no real chances to add to his four tries in this campaign. Forced off after taking a head knock with 15 minutes left, but another who can expect a call from Andy Farrell.

12. Tom Jordan – 7

Conceded a couple of first-half penalties with a bit of over-zealousness at the breakdown but also helped win a vital turnover penalty on his own line. Cracking finish to take Russell’s pass and beat Fickou to touch down, only for the try to be chalked off for Kinghorn’s foot in touch. Continued the strong impression he has made since stepping up to the starting XV after the opener against Italy.

11. Duhan van der Merwe – 6

Russell tried to find him with a couple of cross-kicks early on but couldn’t really get himself into the game in attack until he escaped a couple of times in the second half. One brilliant defensive intervention to cover back and deny Penaud a try before fending off the French wing and running out from his own line, but Scots needed to see him with more ball in hand.

10. Finn Russell – 7.5

Always probing, always threatening with ball in hand, his inside pass put Graham over for Scotland’s first try and then hit Jordan on a flat line, only for the try to be chalked off. A few passes didn’t find their target but landed four from four kicks at goal and shown in these last two rounds that he remains favourite to be the Lions’ starting 10 Down Under.

9. Ben White – 7

The scrum-half was in the thick of everything, sparking Scotland’s attacks with slick service and probing kicks, as well as covering back to deny Lucu a first-half try. Mauvaka launched himself at him head first, but White kept his own head before making way for Dobie. Another accomplished display to cap a fine Championship.

1.Pierre Schoeman – 7.5

Part of a solid Scottish scrum and carried hard into contact on a dozen occasions as well as making 13 tackles, scrapping away until the 66th minute when he made way for Sutherland. Recovered well after a lacklustre start to the campaign.

2. Dave Cherry – 7

After leaving Scotland’s RWC23 squad under a cloud after falling down hotel stairs on a day off, the 34-year-old hooker capped a fine return to the international fold with another strong display, hitting almost 100% of his targets in the lineout, scrummaging well and barrelling around in the loose.

3. Zander Fagerson – 7.5

Stood up well at scrum time and completely outshone the French props around the field, making 12 carries and 12 tackles in another rumbustious outing. A certainty for a second Lions tour and a good bet for a Test spot.

4. Gregor Brown – 7.5

Added tremendous dynamism and energy in the loose, making good yards with ball in hand against heavier opponents on only his fourth Test start, and first in the Six Nations, as well as providing a consistent supply of lineout ball. Should develop into a regular in the coming years.

5. Grant Gilchrist – 6.5

The veteran Edinburgh lock gave it everything in his 80th Test, scrapping away in the tight exchanges despite France’s greater power and marshalling an efficient set-piece operation. May be vulnerable when the likes of Cummings and Williamson return to fitness, but his experience remains invaluable.

6. Jamie Ritchie – 6

Conceded a couple of penalties at ruck-time but also earned a couple with his jackalling ability over ball. Showed some nice touches with his handling, took plenty of lineouts and can be happy with a Championship that has seen him re-establish himself as a frontline operator after a difficult year.

7. Rory Darge – 6

The co-captain shook off a hip issue to start the game and made 14 tackles in an industrious display, but couldn’t exert much influence in an attacking sense.

8. Matt Fagerson – 8

Restored at No. 8 after Jack Dempsey failed to shake off a hamstring injury, Fagerson returned to something close to his barnstorming best, leading the way with 15 carries and also topping the tackle count with 18. Coughed up ball in contact in the first half, but also won a breakdown penalty and did plenty of tidying up.

Replacements

16. Ewan Ashman – 5

Replaced Cherry after 58 minutes and brought plenty of energy to proceedings but a couple of errors undermined his impact.

17. Rory Sutherland – 5

Took over from Schoeman with 14 minutes left and rumbled around but could do little to wrestle back the initiative.

18. Will Hurd – Not used

19. Ewan Johnson – N/A

A late replacement for Jonny Gray in the 23, replaced Gilchrist for the final eight minutes.

20. Marshall Sykes – 5

Pitched into the fray just before the hour for his Six Nations debut and only his second cap, but not the easiest game to make an impression with the French wresting control.

21. Ben Muncaster – 5

Another getting his first taste of Six Nations action after a debut against Portugal in the autumn, the Edinburgh back-rower replaced Darge for the last 14 minutes and enjoyed a couple of carries.

22. Jamie Dobie – 5

Sent on for White when the game was already running away from Scotland. Tried to keep the tempo high but to little avail.

23. Stafford McDowall – 4

The Glasgow centre replaced Jones late on but could do little to change the outcome.