Centre Huw Jones scored a hat trick to assist Scotland get their Six Nations marketing campaign off to a successful begin with a 31-19 bonus-point victory over Italy at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The house facet raced right into a 14-0 lead after tries by flanker Rory Darge and Jones earlier than scrum-half Ben White and two extra from Jones gave Scotland the win after Italy had rallied early within the second half to stage at 19-19.
The boot of fullback Tommaso Allan and an intercept attempt from centre Juan Ignacio Brex stored Italy within the contest as they performed their half in an absorbing conflict however regardless of late strain they may not break by way of the Scottish defence.
Scotland host champions Eire subsequent Sunday, whereas Italy might be at house on Saturday to Wales, who slipped to a thirteenth consecutive defeat in France on Friday.
“I am fairly blissful. It isn’t day by day you get on the tip of three [tries]. Due to the boys for setting me up,” Jones advised BBC Sport.
“We’ll be pleased with the win at present however we’ve to take every sport as they arrive. Eire is a large problem and one which we would like [to win] for positive.”
The Scots have now gained their opening Six Nations video games in seven of the earlier 9 editions, whereas Italy have misplaced their final 12 in a row.
Scotland quickly imposed themselves on Italy as Darge barged over from close-range after which after a blistering break down the left wing from Duhan van der Merwe, the latter’s move inside was touched by Brex however fell completely for Jones to attain.
Allan received the guests on the scoreboard with two fast penalties as Italy settled into the sport, however Scotland quickly scored their third attempt.
Hooker Dave Cherry discovered his jumper within the lineout and wrapped round to hold the ball ahead in a driving maul earlier than setting White away with an outstanding offload as Scotland led 19-9 at half-time.
Allan kicked one other penalty to slender the hole to seven factors early within the second interval, and the guests then drew stage with their first attempt.
Finn Russell’s poor move was intercepted by Brex and the centre raced clear to attain beneath the posts.
The momentum was with Italy and Scotland wanted to wrestle it again, which they did on the hour-mark as wing Darcy Graham burst by way of a spot within the Italy defence and fed Jones to cross for his second rating.
When Jones confirmed his energy to carry off two defenders and stretched to finish his hat trick, Scotland lastly had respiration house on the scoreboard.
“It was a really powerful sport, first half we didn’t play the sport we wished to,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro stated.
“We couldn’t carry out in assault at present and that price us quite a bit. They put us beneath quite a lot of strain within the breakdown. We couldn’t remedy that downside and we didn’t have fast ball.”
Additional studying:
– Why every crew will discover Six Nations success, and why they will not
– WATCH: Can Scotland win their first title since 1999? ESPN writers debate
– Six Nations and Girls’s Six Nations: Full fixture listing
– Six Nations historical past, previous winners, extra
