Three Blair Kinghorn tries set the groundwork for a well-earned Scotland win over Italy at Murrayfield, with the visitors providing a late flurry to ask a question of Gregor Townsend’s side.
A majestic piece of vision from Finn Russell set the Scots off on their way in their Guinness Six Nations opener against Italy.
After Tommaso Allan had put the visitors ahead from the tee, the Scots pressed to take the lead, Greig Laidlaw stealing Italy ball at the breakdown before Russell spotted Blair Kinghorn in the open on the left.
A perfectly flighted kick hung agonisingly in the air, with Kinghorn the grateful beneficiary as he gathered and crossed in the corner to give Scotland the lead.
And Kinghorn grabbed his second soon after, the youngster profiting from a well-worked Scotland set-piece move.
A solid scrum saw Laidlaw feint to move the ball one way before shifting direction to find Kinghorn out wide once more, who gathered a bouncing ball well and increased Scotland’s lead.
Scotland didn’t let up after the break, Tommy Seymour breaking Italy’s line before Russell sent a wonderfully weighted grubber over the goal line, with Stuart Hogg reaching the ball first to get the faintest of downward touches for the hosts’ third score.
Kinghorn then sealed his hat-trick and the Scottish bonus-point, in what was quickly becoming a dream outing for the 22-year-old.
He took Laidlaw’s pass at pace, showing quick feet and a devilish feint to open up space to burst over the line.
But Kinghorn wasn’t the only Scottish young gun on the scoresheet, Chris Harris crossing for his first try in international rugby after a fine break from Hogg.
Guglielmo Palazzani ensured that Italy wouldn’t leave Edinburgh empty-handed, diving over after a tap penalty had caught Scotland unawares.
And Italy made the most of their man advantage, with Simon Berghan in the sin-bin for Scotland, as Edoardo Padovani crossed in the corner as the visitors built up a head of steam with ball in hand.
The Azzurri got a third when Angelo Esposito put the finishing touches to Michele Campagnaro’s break, but the visitors couldn’t quite force the bonus point.
