HOW THE SCOTS PLAYED . . .

SEAN MAITLAND (8 out of

10) – As classy at full-back as he is in his usual wing berth. DARCY GRAHAM (8) – Lively as ever and will never get an easier Test try though most of the action was on the opposite flank.

HUW JONES (9) – Added some needed attacking zip to the midfield and was good value for his try.

SAM JOHNSON (9) – Restored to the national set-up where he’s never let anyone down. Took a heavy hit that saw Mori sin-binned. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE (9) – Like Sean Lamont before him, it takes more than one man to put the two-try wing down.

STUART HOGG (8) – Relished getting more ball and drove his side on remorselessly but had an easy ride in his first start in a 10 shirt for more than four years.

SCOTT STEELE (7) – Eager, and dominant pack gave him an easy ride, but there are a few No. 9s ahead of him. RORY SUTHERLAND (8) – Played his part in a solid scrum but, with the greatest of respect to Italy, it was under little pressure.

DAVE CHERRY (8) – Lineout still not firing on all cylinders but solid. He will have enjoyed scoring a brace on his first Test start. ZANDER FAGERSON (8) – Back from his ban and as belligerent as ever. Italy never got a nudge in the scrum. SAM SKINNER (8) – Bewilderingly overlooked in this championship by Gregor Townsend until now. Did a lot of the hard work.

GRANT GILCHRIST (7) – An unflashy, solid citizen who did his job well.

JAMIE RITCHIE (9) – Showed today he has good hands to go with the more physical, abrasive nature of his game. HAMISH WATSON (9) –

What more can be said of the human wrecking-ball? Opponents must hate playing against him

MATT FAGERSON (8) – Still not convinced he’s the answer at No. 8. Handling lets him down.

REPLACEMENTS – Townsend replaced his entire front row with half-an-hour to run, with the six-day turnaround before the France game firmly in mind.