Five-tries For Scots But Alarm Bells Still Ringing

SCOTLAND defeated Samoa to get their autumn Test campaign off to a winning start, but they know their defence will have to improve with the All Blacks coming to town next Saturday.

- Gary Heatly

In Gregor Townsend’s first home match in charge his side ran in six tries and Samoa bagged five in Edinburgh as 82 points were shared at a sold-out Murrayfield.

Townsend said: “We are pleased to get the win as any win helps confidence grow, but we know that we let Samoa back into things in the last half an hour and we will have to look at that.

“In general our attack was good and the speed we want to play at was there while we handed out four debuts so there is plenty to build on this week.”

Scotland skipper John Barclay added: “It is a strange one. We are happy with the win, but the guys know we can do better. Samoa are a tough side, though, and we will learn a lot from this.”

The home side got off to the perfect start when they scored a try within two minutes.