Stuart Hogg became Scotland’s record try scorer as his 25th in the famous blue jersey inspired them to a 29-20 Autumn Nations Series victory against Japan.
Hogg crossed mid-way through the first half with a sensational side-step and finish to move one clear of Tony Stanger and Ian Smith.
It was the second of four Scotland tries, with Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Stuart McInally also scoring for the hosts.
Tevita Tatafu scored Japan’s sole try, while Rikiya Matsuda kicked five penalties, but Scotland held on for their third Autumn Nations Series win.
Japan triumphed 28-21 in their last match against Scotland but that was on home soil in Yokohama, rather than the biting cold of Edinburgh.
Scotland played freely from the start here and it didn’t take them long to score the first try, as winger Van der Merwe powered over from close range following a lineout.
Japan responded from the tee, as Matsuda booted through the first penalty of the game after Scotland were caught with hands on the floor.
The hosts struggled to stay disciplined at the breakdown and Chris Harris was guilty of not rolling away, however Matsuda was equally guilty of missing the resulting penalty.
He made amends from close range mid-way through the first half to put Japan ahead but BT Murrayfield was on its feet soon after to celebrate Hogg’s milestone.
The full-back started the attack with a trademark burst through the Japan line and he finished it off a few phases later by side-stepping a defender and touching down.
That calmed Scotland and they added a third try just before half-time. A grubber kick from Finn Russell forced a knock-on from Siosaia Fifita in the Japan 22, and following the scrum Russell set up Graham with a long looping pass out wide.
The winger cut inside one defender and kept low to get the ball down, as a couple of Japan players closed in.
That helped Scotland to a 19-6 half-time lead but Japan cut that to just six points, with two Matsuda penalties to keep the hosts honest.
Scotland needed a cool head and they responded with their fourth try of the match, as McInally powered over off the back of a maul just seconds after coming on as a replacement.
However, Japan refused to go away quietly and Tatafu dotted down from a lineout of their own but Matsuda sliced the conversion, leaving Scotland with a nine-point advantage.
Matsuda was presented with an easier kick eight minutes from time and he took it, his fifth penalty of the day bringing Japan to within six. But a late Russell penalty wrapped up victory for Scotland, backing up earlier autumn wins against Tonga and Australia.
