©PA
Scotland scored five second half tries as they defeated Georgia with a 33-6 margin in the Rugby World Cup warm-up game at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Georgia showed great spirit as they had a lead of 0-6 in the opening half setting up for a highly anticipated second half but Gregor Townsend’s men led by a double from Duhan van der Merve and tries from Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey and Kyle Steyn ensured they completed a 27-point victory.
Luka Matkava got the visitors off the mark with a 11th minute penalty goal and they thought they scored the opening try six minutes later when Mirian Modebadze charged down but was stopped by Ollie Smith.
Georgia went on to double their lead in the 21st minute when Matkava kicked his second three-pointer and just when the break was approaching Scotland showed urgency as Kyle Steyn forced his way over but was ruled out by the TMO after he lost control while grounding the ball.
Georgia had Shalva Mamukashvili leaving the field injured as they completed the opening half with a six point lead.
Scotland showed better intent in the second half with van der Merwe going over the line after collecting a pass from Russell, who also kicked the conversion to make it 7-6. The 50th minute saw Rory Darge diving from close range and shortly Dempsey also powered his way through to make it 21-6.
Steyn, who always looked threatening to score got their fourth try with a dive from close range in the 67th minute before van der Merwe collected a floating pass from Ben Healy to complete a 33-6 victory for Townsend’s men.
Team line up:
Scotland: Smith, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Bhatti, Cherry, Nel, Skinner, Gilchrist, Ritchie (capt), Darge, Dempsey.
Reserves: Ashman, Sutherland, Sebastian, Cummings, M Fagerson, Horne, Healy, Harris.
Georgia: Niniashvili, Tabutadze, Tapladze, Sharikadze (capt), Modebadze, Matkava, Lobzhanidze; Nariashvili, Mamukashvili, Gigashvili, Chachanidze, Mikautadze, Ivanishvili, Gachechiladze, Jalaghonia.
Reserves: Zamtaradze, Gogiohashvili, Papidze, Jaiani, Mamamtavrishvili, Aprasideze, Abzhandadze, Kveseladze.
