SINGAPORE (AP) Gregor Townsend’s reign as Scotland’s new coach got off to a perfect start on Saturday when his ?new-look ?team easily beat Italy 34-13 in the first test between two top-tier rugby-playing nations in Southeast Asia.
Despite missing several key players and losing flanker John Hardie to a back injury ?in the pre-game warmup, the Scots overcame a rusty start to outscore the Italians five tries to two at Singapore’s National Stadium.
The teams were still tied at 3-3 after 35 minutes when the Scots suddenly burst into action, scoring four tries either side of halftime as the Italians began to tire in Singapore’s draining humidity?