Scotland sealed a 61-0 bonus-point win this morning over Russia in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Needing a to rack up a big victory to stay in contention for a quarter-final spot the Scots did just that with a hat-trick of tries from George Horne, along with a brace from Adam Hastings adding to efforts from George Turner, Tommy Seymour, John Barclay and Stuart McInally.
Both teams started well with the ball staying in play for most of the opening stages, but despite Russia having a good opening it was Scotland who went ahead on 14 minutes after winning a scrum against the head inside the opposition 22.
From the resulting scrum they sent the ball out to Hastings who dummy passed before breaking breaking through a gap in the defence to go over for the games first try. He converted his own score to make it 7-0.
Five minutes later and the fly-half was at the centre of the action again as he kicked ahead, racing onto the loose ball to kick forward once more and diving on the ball in the in-goal area for his second of the game, which he again converted.
Less than three minutes on and Scotland had try number three with Russia winning their own line-out five-metres out from their own line, but then sending a pass to the backs which was intercepted by Horne, who touched down. Hastings added the extras once more.
Russia held out for the remainder of the opening half as Scotland went in 21-0 up come the whistle.
Five minutes into the second-half and Scotland had the bonus-point try they needed and deserved, with Darcy Graham catching a kick inside his own 22 before darting forward and after some nice handling the ball found its way to Horne for the try. Hastings was perfect from the tee again.
With just under half an hour remaining the Russians began to tire and Scotland took full advantage as they drove forward from a line-out maul before Turner broke away from the back and charged over, with Hastings putting two more points on the board.
A few minutes later and Scotland were in once again as Blair Kinghorn sent a lovely kick through the Russian 22 for Seymour to dive on the ball for another Scottish try. Hastings made it six from six from the tee.
Moments later and and Horne was on the end of a great break from Scotland diving over in the left-hand corner for his hat-trick. This time Hastings couldn’t convert but it was 47-0 with little over 20 minutes remaining.
The Russians managed to hold out for the next 15 minutes before Barclay made a fantastic break through the defensive line and fake passed to get past the final defender and touched down under the posts. Hastings made no mistake this time around with the kick.
With a minute left replacement McInally ran in for a try in the right-hand corner to stretch the lead. Hastings slotted over the touchline conversion for the final points of the game leaving it at 61-0.
The victory now means that Scotland have a chance to go through to the quarter-finals if they beat hosts Japan on Sunday in what will be a shootout for the last-eight. While for Russia they conclude their tournament with their heads held high after putting in some good performances throughout the tournament.
Scotland Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Blair Kinghorn (7), Tommy Seymour (7), Duncan Taylor (7), Pete Horne (8), Darcy Graham (8), Adam Hastings (9), George Horne (9); Gordon Reid (7), George Turner (7), Zander Fagerson (7), Scott Cummings (7), Ben Toolis (8), John Barclay (8), Fraser Brown (6), Ryan Wilson (7)
Replacements (8)
