Rugby College: Murrayfield surface under scrutiny as Scotland enjoy six-try win

Scotland began their Autumn Test series with a satisfying six-try win over an impressive Japan at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Tougher tests most definitely await this Scottish side, not least against South Africa on Sunday, but the 32,000 supporters enjoyed the occasion even if it took a little while for the hosts to pull away from their opponents who at one stage, trailed by a single point early in the second half.

Head coach Scott Johnson was a relieved yet frustrated figure at the post-match press conference when trying to sum up how he felt his side fared against a team who beat Six Nations champions Wales in the summer.

“I thought it was a good Test match against a formidable side which attributed to a reasonable spectacle”, the Australian said.

“We’ll have to take a look at our scrum though and there’s also come defensive issues that’ll need worked on”, he continued when probed about his side’s defensive woes and lack of consistency at the set piece.

“Conditions were perfect for Test rugby at Murrayfield, except for the actual playing surface which has come under scrutiny recently, and it seemed as though the ground staff were running

on to treat it as often as the water carriers and medics were, such was the amount of churned up turf on show.

“I’m sure people will work hard on it throughout the week, but at the moment that’s not really our concern.”

Johnson mused when asked if the problematic surface could have a damaging effect on his side’s chances in the coming weeks.

Scotland began well and showed their intent to keep hold of the ball, but seemed to lack inspiration at times, prop Euan Murray being flattened after receiving a pass whilst in a static position.

This was also the nation’s first Test under the new scrum laws and it was clear scrum half Greig Laidlaw was taking extra care when putting the ball in, such has been the spotlight on that area of the game in recent weeks.

The Edinburgh man’s sixth minute penalty got the scoreboard moving for the Scots, whilst the Japanese also began to show their worth, particularly the rangy centre Male Sau and winger Kenki Fukuoka who burst into the Scottish 22 before knocking on, ending what would have likely been a try-scoring play.

Laidlaw hit the post with a penalty attempt from just outside his usual range, but made no mistake with his third effort of the afternoon after 21 minutes to make it 6-0 as Scotland started to show more promise with the ball in hand, most notably centre Matt Scott and second-row Tim Swinson who seemed to make yards every time they got the ball.

It wasn’t until the half hour mark however that Scotland crossed the try line. An elusive burst into the 22 by fullback Sean Maitland was followed by several forward drives before the ball was

spun right to flanker Alasdair Strokosch who passed to Ruaridh Jackson, who then found Warriors club mate Tommy Seymour who dived over for his first International try.

Laidlaw missed the tricky conversion before Japan’s fullback Ayumu Goromaru hit back with a penalty to make it 11-3 at halftime.

Scotland got an almighty fright in the opening spell of the second half as Japan winger Fukuoka crossed twice in the space of 11 minutes to stun the home support and bring the score to 18-17 after Laidlaw had pounced or Scotland’s second moments earlier.

Despite the one point margin though, Scotland were never in any real danger of losing this Test and they soon began to dominate the Brave Blossoms with a flurry of attacks and a looped pass from Jackson 10 yards from the line found Seymour on the right wing who crossed for his second of the contest.

A thunderous ovation greeted the arrival of Richie Gray from the substitute’s bench just before the hour mark, and he brought with him a sense of urgency which Scotland used to pull away from their fatigued opponents with captain Kelly Brown charging towards the line before being hauled down five yards short.

Man of the match Swinson was then held up over the line before replacement prop Al Dickinson finished off a superb team move for the fourth try in the 64th minute with Laidlaw converting to make it 30-17.

Duncan Weir then replaced Jackson at stand-off and scored his first International try seconds later before veteran winger Sean Lamont claimed the sixth try after TMO referral three minutes from the end to seal a satisfying victory.

Several players are likely to sit out training in the early part of this week due to injuries sustained on Saturday, not least Glasgow forwards Al Kellock and Ryan Grant who both suffered concussions, whilst Matt Scott picked up a hand injury.

Tim Swinson and Duncan Weir are also concerns, but Johnson and his coaching staff are afforded the luxury of an extra day to prepare before South Africa arrive at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The Springboks defeated a gallant Wales 24-15 in Cardiff on Saturday and look to be getting stronger by the week and so Scotland will need to be at their most physical to stand any chance of gaining revenge for their summer defeat to the world’s number 2 ranked side.

The team to play South Africa will be announced on Wednesday morning and there’s likely to be a few changes to the starting XV as Scotland look to record their third win in a row for the first time since 2011.