Hooker Stuart McInally scored a brace of tries in Scotland’s hard-fought 44-38 win over Samoa at Murrayfield on Saturday.

In a week where it was confirmed that Samoan rugby was facing bankruptcy, the islanders certainly produced an encouraging account of themselves as they remained in the fight throughout the 80 minutes.

A try to former Stormers star Huw Jones just before the break, coupled with two tries to McInally soon after, had handed Scotland a handy advantage, but Samoa continued to battle gallantly and in fact reduced the deficit to just six points when Kieron Fonotia scored in the 68th minute.

However, Scotland substitute Pete Horne went over unopposed soon after to ultimately seal the deal despite a late consolation try to Alesana Tuilagi.

Scotland – Tries: Stuart Hogg, Huw Jones, Stuart McInally (2), Alex Dunbar, Pete Horne. Conversions: Finn Russell (3), Horne. Penalties: Russell (2).
Samoa – Tries: Josh Tyrell, Piula Faasalele, Tim Nanai-Williams, Kieron Fonotia, Alesana Tuilagi. Conversions: Nanai-Williams (5). Penalty: Nanai-Williams.

Scotland – 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Lee Jones, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Ryan Wilson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 John Barclay (c), 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Ben Toolis, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Darryl Marfo.
Subs: 16 George Turner, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Cornell Du Preez, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Pete Horne, 23 Chris Harris.

Samoa – 15 Ah See Tuala, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Reynold Lee-Lo, 11 David Lemi, 10 Tim Nanai Williams, 9 Pele Cowley, 8 Jack Lam, 7 TJ Ioane, 6 Piula Fa’Asalele, 5 Chris Vui (c), 4 Josh Tyrell, 3 Donald Brighouse, 2 Manu Leiataua, 1 Jordan Lay.
Subs: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 James Lay, 18 Hisa Sasagi, 19 Fa’Atiga Lemalu, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Mealani Matavao, 22 Aj Alatimu, 23 Alapati Leiua.

Photo: Ian Rutherford/PA Images via Getty Images