Scotland scored five tries to claim a 44-10 victory over Georgia in a historic World Cup warm-up match in Tbilisi on Saturday.
The Test was the first time Georgia had hosted a tier-one nation and the home side were looking to make a statement.
However, Gregor Townsend’s side were simply too strong and, with several second-string players competing for a place in the final World Cup squad, powered to a well-earned victory.
There were first Test tries for lock Ben Toolis, replacement Scott Cummings and centre Rory Hutchinson, who grabbed a brace in an impressive solo outing. The experienced halfback pair of Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell, named Man of the Match, kept the scoreboard ticking over. Laidlaw slotted three penalties and three conversions, while Russell and Hutchinson added a conversion each.
Replacement loosehead prop Kakha Asieshvili grabbed Georgia’s only try, while fullback Soso Matiashvili added a penalty.
Scotland are expected to announce their 31-man World Cup squad this week before hosting Georgia in their final warm-up ahead of the showpiece tournament.
Georgia – Try: Kakha Asieshvili. Conversion: Tedo Abzhandadze. Penalty: Soso Matiashvili.
Scotland – Tries: Ben Toolis, Rory Hutchinson (2), Darcy Graham, Scott Cummings. Conversions: Greig Laidlaw (3), Finn Russell, Hutchinson. Penalties: Laidlaw (3).
Georgia – 15 Soso Matiashvili, 14 Mirian Modebadze, 13 Zurab Dzneladze, 12 Davit Katcharava, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Tedo Abzhandadze, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 8 Beka Gorgadze, 7 Beka Saghinadze, 6 Otar Giorgadze, 5 Kote Mikautadze, 4 Shalva Sutiashvili, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili (c).
Subs: 16 Giorgi Tchqoidze, 17 Kakha Asieshvili, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Giorgi Nemsadze, 20 Lasha Lomidze, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Lasha Khmaladze, 23 Tamaz Mtchedlidze.
Scotland – 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 John Barclay, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Ben Toolis, 3 WP Nel, 2 Stuart McInally (c), 1 Allan Dell.
Subs: 16 Grant Stewart, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Ali Price, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Huw Jones.
Photo: Getty Images
