DAVID SOLE ON RUGBY

A first-time trip to Tbilisi could have been an awkward banana skin for Gregor Townsend and his Scotland side.

Lying in wait, Georgia – the Tier 2 nation, with a set of forwards who are a match for anyone in the world, and 50,000 fans hungry to see their home side defeat major opposition.

What’s more, with only two more days before the coach names his squad for Japan, some concerns about injury. It could have been a very difficult evening in the heat.

But instead of stuttering away from home, as has so often been their wont, Scotland put in an assured, dominant performance in the first 40 minutes of the match, sweeping aside the challenge of the home team, much to the dismay of their fans.

This was not the Scotland that struggles outside of the confines of Murrayfield – this was a Scotland that was beginning to hit its straps in readiness for a World Cup.

Townsend had taken a risk in the eyes of many when he selected a number of first-choice players.

Finn Russell demonstrated why he is so important to the team with a fine display of tactical kicking, varied attacking ploys and innovation – he hardly put a foot wrong and looks to be in fine form.

Similarly, Hamish Watson, Stuart McInally and John Barclay all demonstrated why they must be in a starting XV. But there were others who

‘ They have taken a big step forward in two weeks

put their hands up for selection and who will hope they will be named on Tuesday.

With two tries, Rory Hutchinson was hard to ignore and Matt Fagerson brought real bite to Scotland’s carrying, making hard yards against a very physical set of opponents.

That ball-carrying has been absent for Scotland for a while now. Ryan Wilson simply does not have the same impact as Watson or Fagerson and with Magnus Bradbury also in contention (although still nursing a rib injury) the competition for the back row is intense.

Likewise in the centres. Huw Jones had a few minutes to impress coming off the bench, but by that time the game was won and the shape lost.

He could be the unlucky one to miss out with Duncan Taylor restored to the squad.

In Nice, Scotland’s defence was woeful. In Tbilisi, it was dominant.

Much of defence is about player mindset and last night, Scotland’s mindset was perfect.

Why they cannot replicate this consistently is a bit of a mystery, but could be central to their success, or failure, in Japan.

They have taken a big step forward in two weeks and have to continue to get better.

Next Friday is the return match and the squad for Japan will be known. Only another performance like last night will do.