Summary

  • Scotland end summer series with three wins out of four

  • No injuries for Gregor Townsend after latest win

  • Scots play South Africa in World Cup opener on 10 September

  1. That's all folkspublished at 19:50 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    That's all from me on live text duties today, as Scotland wrap up their World Cup prep with a five-try victory over Georgia at Murrayfield.

    You can read Andy Burke's match report here, and until next time, goodbye!

    Finn Russell and Jamie Ritchie wave to the fansImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    See you in France!

  2. Postpublished at 19:46 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    If you want all the Scotland news and analysis in the build-up to the World Cup, and indeed once the competition starts, be sure to check out our dedicated page here.

  3. 'Have to play our best to beat South Africa'published at 19:42 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    More from Townsend, talking about the challenge facing Scotland in their World Cup opener against South Africa on 10 September:

    "South Africa could have won by another 10 or 20 points [against New Zealand]. They had a lot of domination in the first half where they didn't get points on the board, and then second half they were clearly the better team.

    "That's one of the best performances I've seen from them over the last few years, and if they play like that against us, we'll have to bring our best ever game to beat them.

    "That's the challenge we have. We have to take that head-on and give our best performance.

    "We'll get better with more time together, but the South Africa game is our most important game, and we have to be fully loaded and playing our best rugby to beat them.

    "It's going to be great. I can't wait."

  4. Postpublished at 19:40 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is next to give his thoughts to Amazon Prime:

    "Full 80 [minute performance] is a dream, a goal," he said. "That doesn't mean that you're going to be scoring points, and the opposition don't score any.

    "They were very good in contact in the first half, and they stopped a lot of our attacks.

    "Weirdly, that was a better preparation for us than scoring tries in the first half. We showed a lot more accuracy in the second half, but the work we done in the first half tired them out.

    "Look, we didn't deal with their kicking game in the first half, so we've got to be better there. We saw a big effort from the bench, which has been the case right throughout this warm-up series, which is really pleasing.

    "We know injuries are going to happen, but just now, the medics are confident that we're going to have a full squad of 33 to head out to France."

  5. 'We're looking forward to taking on South Africa'published at 19:33 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie has also been talking to Amazon Prime.

    "We expected them to come out pretty hot in the first half," he said. "They're not a bad side - they've won 12 of their last 13 Test matches I think, and have beaten Tier One opposition, so we knew it would be tough.

    "I'm proud of how we took it to them in the second. I think we were in a little bit of a rush [in the first half]. I spoke about being patient before the game, and I don't think we quite got that right.

    "We have to be right up there physically [against South Africa]. We'll be looking to take them on with how we play.

    "We've got an amazing group that I'm really privileged to be a part of, and really looking forward to the next few weeks."

    Jamie Ritchie in actionImage source, SNS
  6. Postpublished at 19:28 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    The Scotland squad are currently making their way round the outside of the Murrayfield pitch, soaking up the applause and well wishes before they head to France for the World Cup.

  7. Duhan at the doublepublished at 19:23 BST 26 August 2023

    Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    John Barclay
    Former Scotland captain on BBC One

    Two tries, 14 carries for 170m. Van der Merwe looks hungry, and I love seeing him in full flight.

    The more Scotland get the ball in his hands, the better they play.

  8. Player of the Matchpublished at 19:20 BST 26 August 2023

    FT: Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    Scotland winger Duhan van der Merwe has been named Player of the Match, and has been giving his thoughts to Amazon Prime.

    "Especially first half, Georgia made it really tough for us," he said. "They were really physical and put us under pressure.

    "It was important for us to squeeze them up a bit - if our forwards get gain-line then it's much easier for our backs to go wide.

    "We can take confidence from the second half. It's two walk-ins, but I'll take that."

    Duhan van der Merwe with ball in handImage source, SNS
  9. Full-timepublished at 19:16 BST 26 August 2023

    Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    A knock-on brings Scotland's World Cup prep to a close.

    They were much improved in the second half, scoring five tries, and have avoided any injuries. However, that first half will worry Gregor Townsend.

  10. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Scotland 33-6 Georgia

    Sixty seconds left at Murrayfield.

    Beating Tier Two nations isn't for everyone.

  11. try

    Try Scotland 33-6 Georgiapublished at 78 mins

    Duhan van der Merwe

    Two for Duhan van der Merwe, five for Scotland - job done!

    Scotland's power game is on show again. The forwards suck Georgia's defence in, and when the space appears, Ben Healy floats a Finn Russell-esque pass over the top to Van der Merwe, who trots over in the corner for his 20th Scotland try.

    That's fifth in the all-time Scotland list.

    Van der Merwe scores in the cornerImage source, SNS
  12. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Scotland 28-6 Georgia

    Chris Harris takes Scotland to within inches of the Georgia line, before another high tackle gives Scotland a penalty.

    Ewan Ashman will tap-and-go...

  13. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Scotland 28-6 Georgia

    There's a slightly tired waft of an arm that catches Kyle Steyn high, and Ben Healy kicks the resulting penalty to the corner.

    Scotland looking to finish with a flourish here.

  14. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Scotland 28-6 Georgia

    Georgia won't go down without a fight.

    They make their way into the Scotland 22, but Sione Tuipulotu smases Davit Niniashvili back in the tackle, and then Matt Fagerson gets over the ball to win a penalty.

    Ben Healy hammers a kick downfield - he's been good since he came on for Finn Russell.

  15. converted try

    Converted try Scotland 28-6 Georgiapublished at 69 mins

    Kyle Steyn

    Jack Dempsey shows all that carrying prowess again, taking Scotland to within a yard of the line, and Kyle Steyn is on hand to score Scotland's fourth try!

    Whereas they lost their shape in the first half, trying to play too much, they've been excellent in the second period, using their forward power to full effect.

    Ben Healy pops over the conversion to further stretch Scotland's lead.

  16. Postpublished at 67 mins

    Scotland 21-6 Georgia

    There's a wee bit of a scrap out there after Jamie Ritchie is taken out in the air by Akaki Tabutadze.

    Just a penalty, says Mathieu Raynal, which Ben Healy kicks to the corner.

    Jamie Ritchie is taken out in the airImage source, SNS
  17. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Scotland 21-6 Georgia

    On the TV coverage, there's a debate going on surrounding what should be the make-up of Scotland's back row against South Africa.

    Surely it's the combination that started today, no? Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey.

    Let's see those thumbs.

  18. Postpublished at 18:52 BST 26 August 2023

    Scotland 21-6 Georgia

    John Barclay
    Former Scotland captain on Amazon Prime

    Jack Dempsey is a quality carrier.

    He recognises that he's not in the team for his defensive qualities. He's in for his explosive ball-carrying.

    Dempsey's physicality gives Scotland something extra.

    Jack Dempsey scores Scotland's third tryImage source, SNS
  19. converted try

    Converted try Scotland 21-6 Georgiapublished at 59 mins

    Jack Dempsey

    Yes they can!

    Scotland go back to basics, hammer Georgia back with carry after carry, and eventually Jack Dempsey blasts his way over.

    Ben Healy knocks over a simple conversion, and Scotland lead by 15.

  20. Postpublished at 57 mins

    Scotland 14-6 Georgia

    Scotland win a scrum penalty, and Ben Healy finds the corner with an excellent, swerving kick.

    Can Scotland add a third?