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Autumn international: Scotland 43-16 Georgia

By Tom EnglishBBC Sport Scotland at Rugby Park

Last updated on .From the section Scottish Rugbycomments47

Autumn internationals
Scotland (31) 43
Tries: Seymour, Penalty Try, Maitland, Hogg 2, Watson Cons: Laidlaw 5 Pen: Laidlaw Yellow card: Low
Georgia (11) 16
Tries: Lobzhanidze 2 Pens: Kvirikashvili 2 Yellow card: Mikautadze

Scotland ran in six tries to conclude their trio of autumn internationals with a 43-16 victory over Georgia.

The visitors led briefly through Vasil Lobzhanidze's early try, but the Scots raced ahead through Tommy Seymour, a penalty try, Sean Maitland and Stuart Hogg before the break.

Hamish Watson extended the lead, battling over soon after half-time.

Lobzhanidze bagged a second from a huge Georgian scrum, before Hogg finished off a searing counter-attack.

Georgia's short-lived joy

Before the Scottish points deluge, it was the Georgians who opened the scoring. It was a soft one, with Lobzhanidze, the visitors' scrum-half, darting down the blind-side of a scrum where Seymour should have halted him, but didn't.

The wing made amends soon after when Hogg dinked a kick behind the Georgian defence for Seymour to run on to. In the foot-race, Seymour beat Lobzhanidze to the touch-down. It was questionable that Seymour got downward pressure on the ball, but the try was given and Scotland went ahead when Laidlaw swept over the conversion from the touchline.

Total Scotland dominance

The floodgates began to open. Scotland owned possession and territory and got their reward when a rolling maul, destined for the try-line, was hauled to the floor by the Georgian lock, Kote Mikautadze. Scotland got a penalty try, converted by Laidlaw, and Mikautadze got the sin-bin.

Merab Kvirikashvili landed a penalty but Scotland motored on regardless. Maitland scored after multiple Scotland phases and Laidlaw added the conversion and a penalty just after. There were 30 minutes gone and Scotland had 91% possession.

Hogg's cameo

Georgia, living off scraps, put over another penalty to make it 24-11 but Hogg's try stretched the lead again. There was ambition and luck at its heart. There was nothing on for the full-back, so he chanced his arm, dinked a kick over the top and chased like hell.

The breaking ball took a vicious bounce away from the covering Alexandre Todua and landed kindly in the onrushing Hogg's hands. Away he went for Scotland's fourth try, once again converted from out wide by Laidlaw.

The fifth came early in the second half, Watson coming round the corner of a scrum and blasting his way over. The conversion made it 38-11. It was the belated catalyst for Georgia to get some ball of their own. They scored their second try when shoving Scotland to kingdom come in the scrum. They shunted their hosts over their own line and the dot down for Lobzhanidze was a formality.

Georgia's scrum continued to cause a newly disjointed and error-prone Scotland problems. Moray Low was yellow-carded in the midst of this for another buckled scrum. The hosts had a rousing finish, though.

Ali Price was only three minutes into his debut when he tapped a penalty and went from deep in his own half. Rory Hughes, another substitute, was on Price's shoulder and he in turn found Hogg who ran in his second and Scotland's sixth.

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter: "It was a good first half. We scored three pretty quick tries, and we held the ball so they couldn't access the game as they would have liked. We kept the ball down the other end, and when they gave it back to us, we managed to counter-attack and get points.

"In the second half, the game seemed to open up a little, it was a wet ball and it was cold out there, so the transmissions weren't as neat and quick as we'd like. And they were very good over the ball.

"But I thought we did things pragmatically, kept them out of it and scored points when we had to.

"I think there's been a good shift in the way we approach these games and manage them, and Greig (Laidlaw)'s done a great job in that with his guys around him. And we just keep improving."

Scotland: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Sean Maitland, 13-Mark Bennett, 12-Alex Dunbar, 11-Tommy Seymour, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1-Allan Dell, 2-Ross Ford, 3-Zander Fagerson, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jonny Gray, 6-Rob Harley, 7-Hamish Watson, 8-Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Alex Allan, 18-Moray Low, 19-Grant Gilchrist, 20-John Barclay, 21-Ali Price, 22-Pete Horne, 23-Rory Hughes.

Georgia: 15-Merab Kvirikashvili, 14-Giorgi Aptsiauri, 13-Merab Sharikadze, 12-Tamaz Mchedlidze, 11-Sandro Todua, 10-Lasha Malaguradze, 9-Vasil Lobzhanidze; 1-Mikheil Nariashvili, 2-Jaba Bregvadze, 3-Levan Chilachava, 4-Kote Mikautadze, 5-Giorgi Nemsadze, 6-Vito Kolelishvili, 7-Mamuka Gorgodze (capt), 8-Beka Bitsadze.

Replacements: 16-Badri Alkhazashvili, 17-Kakha Asieshvili, 18-Dudu Kubriashvili, 19-Lasha Lomidze, 20-Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 21-Giorgi Begadze, 22-Beka Tsiklauri, 23-Shalva Sutiashvili

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47 comments

  • Comment posted by 39 Pontiac Dream, at 19:09 26 Nov 2016

    Scotland's backs were excellent today and the improvement is there for all to see - less penalties, more metres made, great handling. Should make for a competitive 6 Nations.
    Georgia also showed that they have the makings for entering the 6 nations - they showed creativity, a will to win and they will only improve by playing the better sides. Let's hope 2017 will mark the start of the 7 nations.

  • Comment posted by mcl896b, at 19:13 26 Nov 2016

    Mainly,
    How do you figure? I'm guessing you're a football fan, since rugby fans in the main appreciate good rugby regardless of the colour of the shirt being worn.
    Scotland have improved markedly in the last three years? Is it you would prefer walkover opposition?
    Either way, bore off back to the football forums.

  • Comment posted by D1710739746999, at 19:29 26 Nov 2016

    Speaking about the three Autumn Internationals as a whole and remembering all the injuries Scotland have done well. With a full squad we can compete and score tries. I look forward to the 6 nations.

  • Comment posted by scotty, at 19:24 26 Nov 2016

    Mainsy. You obviously enjoy winding things up bit really, to be effective you must be plausible. Well done Scotland

  • Comment posted by Deeko, at 19:28 26 Nov 2016

    Mainsy = Trolly McTrollface. How dull.

    Good display by Scotland after last weeks misfiring performance. We made Georgia look fairly poor - don't think I've seen us get over the gain line so consistently in a game for ages. Also thought Ali Price did well in his first game!

  • Comment posted by jontymo, at 20:49 26 Nov 2016

    Shame we aren't playing South Africa next week. We might have got to 6th in the world rankings.....

  • Comment posted by Borderer, at 14:57 27 Nov 2016

    A fully fit Sco with Nel & Dickinson will be very competitive in 6N. However, lack of depth at prop could expose them badly. I think Sco can and will beat Ire first up. Eng will win 6N and beat Ire in Dublin in the process. it was only a matter of time before someone got Eng playing to their potential and Jones, unlikeable as he is , looks like the guy they have been waiting for.

  • Comment posted by Scots, at 23:26 26 Nov 2016

    Was at match today it was fast an good game. Scotland never backed down an kept going a few years ago we would have put heads down an stopped but not now. My wee niece was out as mascot today an she was a wee star. Bring on 6 nations now

  • Comment posted by theterribleonion, at 19:33 26 Nov 2016

    I said before that a 20 point win would show progress and so it proved. Our options at centre and back row are fantastic and with Nell and Dickinson to come back we have reasons to be positive for 6 nations. Why is Cotter getting shunted??

  • Comment posted by daddave, at 19:18 26 Nov 2016

    Mainsy @ 1
    What tripe you write, what reasons do you have for spending time writing utter drivel.Scotland played what was in front of them today and came away convincing winners.

  • Comment posted by Tim Aggett, at 11:17 27 Nov 2016

    Had doubts over whether Scotland could win so convincingly. Great effort against the best "other" team in Europe. Hope they can use this to move on.

    Georgia did enough to show that they and the other top ENC sides deserve a better shift from tier 1

  • Comment posted by Big Al, at 21:55 27 Nov 2016

    Loved the last try. The break itself, the anticipation of the break, acceleration and pace shown and the support lines run from the other backs were superb. The communication was brilliant. The handling and timing of the passes was perfect too. Its not so many years ago the Scottish backs would get slated for constantly getting isolated and not being able to pass more than 5 metres. Happy days!

  • Comment posted by User0365798590, at 08:20 27 Nov 2016

    Big plus over recent matches is that we now seem to have the confidence to score tries with regularity. Not that long ago when a try was almost as rare as a Vern Cotter smile! Here's hoping for further progress in 6 Nations.

  • Comment posted by Driving Home, at 23:21 26 Nov 2016

    Let's be fair, after all the, let's get Georgia into the 7 Nations rubbish in the last few days, they were shown to be nothing more than a pale imitation if Italy 10 years ago. Decent pack, few decent players, that's it. Things on the up, only downside is the typical SRU panic over Townsend, Cotter us top class coach, we should be sticking with him, but hey ...

  • Comment posted by twostepsforward, at 19:40 26 Nov 2016

    A number of years ago when playing against Australia, we, Scotland were described as the bludgeon and they ,Australia, as the rapier. The three Autumn internationals have put Scotland into the rapier category and it's great to see. There is a growing strength in depth although tight head and stand off are notable exceptions to this comment.

  • Comment posted by kiwirealist, at 22:35 26 Nov 2016

    @16
    As usual, the standard english whinging. You poor poor thing, unable to do anything except moan about the referee. But then you have a better understanding of the rules than any international ref. Of course, I presume you'll retract comments about Sam Cane that I bet you made. Funny how the Rugby Championship everyone just plays, rather than cry (except Cheika, haha).

  • Comment posted by Halfpint, at 10:22 28 Nov 2016

    I think to say we will beat the Irish is a bit optimistic... Possible but optimistic. This is the Ireland that beat the All Blacks and just beat Australia. Currently they are the only team I see giving England a run (pains me to say it). Wales are there for the hiding, Italy are in no man's land right now (lost to Tonga yet beat SA) and France are France.

    Happy with 3 wins!

  • Comment posted by Mainsy, at 19:45 26 Nov 2016

    lol just came back to this. My word sarcasm clearly isn't translateable to this comment section and my wording could have been better. First bit was blatant sarcasm, second bit was saying folk that have been touting for Scotland eviction from the 6 nations for a last few years has been a total nonsense.

  • Comment posted by Warriorscot, at 22:34 26 Nov 2016

    Great series for the younger players and to get some new blood in. If all players are fit, Cotter will have some agonising over team selection in 6N. Back row and midfield showing great depth. Had Laidlaw not hit the post in first game we would have been 3 for 3. Can't wait for 6N

  • Comment posted by Tims Toys, at 19:00 26 Nov 2016

    Laughable people slating us after we win all the time means were doing something right though and there all just panicking cause were putting in great performances and we've yet to play in first gear not to mention our injury list you guys can keep slating us but you're just giving our players added motivation to kick on and improve so bring it on.