JASON WHITE
READ HIS VERDICT FROM MURRAYFIELD
THAT was the perfect start for Scotland to the Six Nations and sets them up well for the tougher test against Ireland. Losing three late tries in eight minutes near the end when Simon Berghan was in the sin-bin wasn’t ideal but more an irritation than a cause for concern.
Scotland had the game in the bag by then with the bonus point secured, which meant it was job done.
All the players — apart from maybe Huw Jones, who didn’t look totally match fit — were in fine form, especially Finn Russell. It was great to see him playing back at BT Murrayfield and it looked like he enjoyed every minute. I certainly enjoyed every minute watching him.
He pulled the strings and controlled play, helped set up tries and was a real joy to watch. His best moment was his kick-pass that set up Blair Kinghorn’s first try. He has the type of vision to set up chances that other rugby players don’t see on.
His move to Racing 92 in France has made him a more mature and far better player and he was on top form against the Italians.
Finn has the boys in the backs working well and the Edinburgh dominated pack worked hard from first whistle to last. It was a good mix.
I was delighted for winger Kinghorn, who played his way into the record books. Getting a hat-trick at any level of professional rugby is tough. To do it in the Six Nations at the age of just 22 is a great achievement.
For me, this could be Kinghorn’s breakthrough year. He is special and is going to get even better as the World Cup approaches.
In the pack, Jamie Ritchie totally justified Gregor Townsend’s decision to select him ahead of John Hardie. He was magnificent from start to finish and will be a vital player for Scotland against Ireland.
When he took the short line off Greig Laidlaw and transferred the ball to Russell for one of Kinghorn’s tries, it was class. I would compare Ritchie to John Barclay in that he has strength in all the key areas needed to make him a top-class international back row.
Sam Johnson did really well on his debut and he should be proud of the way he played. He has a bright future at international level.
It was also great to see Stuart Hogg get a try and he was unlucky to have one cancelled out for crossing earlier in the move. He looked back to his best and made some very good runs from deep, which was encouraging heading into the Irish match.
I felt we started slowly but worked our way into the game and were patient in our build-ups. Laidlaw helped the team go through the phases and build up pressure. In the middle part of the game, we pulled away and there was a lot of good play in that crucial period of the match.
Letting in three late tries when we were down to 14 men, I didn’t see that coming and it should not have happened but, as I said, the game was in the bag by then. Townsend will make sure such sloppiness does not happen again.
Things to work on and decisions to make ahead of the Ireland game?
Decide whether Jones starts or whether Peter Horne comes in for him. For all my concerns over Jones’ fitness against Italy, he does enjoy the big occasion and it wouldn’t be a bad decision to give him another chance against the Irish.
Also, who replaces Sam Skinner if he isn’t fit after coming off early with an ankle injury against Italy? He can punch holes in defences and I am hoping he will be fit enough to do that against the Irish.
We need to finish games well, which obviously we didn’t do against Italy — and keep our discipline. One yellow card led to three Italian tries. Imagine the damage Ireland would do to Scotland if we were down to 14 men?
Against Ireland, we will be tested heavily in defence and we have to have enough in the tank to tackle, get up and tackle again and again.
To beat Ireland, we need all our big players at the top of their game. There is a good spine in this Scotland team, starting with hooker Stuart McInally, which gives me confidence.
We beat Ireland the last time they came to Murrayfield in the Six Nations and we must attack them and go for the victory. I think we can do it.