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Scotland 27-47 Barbarians

Scotland failed to gain the confidence-boosting win - or performance - that they were looking for ahead of their North American tour as they lost to the Barbarians at Murrayfield.

The faster, stronger and more experienced touring select at times toyed with an experimental Scottish line-up that included five uncapped players.

Scotland at least avoided the crushing 74-31 defeat suffered at the hands of the same opponents last year.

But only youngsters Rory Kerr and Mike Blair, plus recent Scotland convert Brendan Laney, enhanced their reputations, while Orrell's Andy Craig warmed to the occasion as his debut progressed.

Laney, moved from full-back to centre, provided Scotland's first try and added a penalty and three conversions.

Scotland's Andy Craig (right)
Andy Craig (right) warmed to his game
The Barbarians outscored the Scots by seven tries to three, with New Zealander Mark Robinson grabbing two for the visitors.

They started where they left off on Wednesday, when they bounced back from a hammering by England to score 40 unanswered points in the second-half to stun Wales.

Yet it all looked good for the Scots when Edinburgh scrum-half Blair and Glasgow winger Kerr combined to force a penalty converted by Laney after only two minutes.

The invitational side were stung into action, however, and were camped in the Scottish half for most of the next 40 minutes.

That pressure told as Saracens flanker Kris Chesney crashed over, Munster's former Austrialia No.8, Jim Williams, picked up and drove over and All Black centre Pita Alatini was sent racing clear.

All three tries were converted by Braam van Straaten as the Barbarians took command.

New Zealand-born Laney darted over then converted the kick himself to give the home side some respite.

With Laney off temporarily with a facial injury, Duncan Hodge then kicked a penalty to bring the Scots within touching distance at 21-13 behind.

But some wonderful handling presented Josh Kronfeld with an easy touchdown in injury time, with Van Straaten adding the two points for a commanding half-time lead.

Robinson finished off a sweeping move to put the Barbarians further ahead, Van Straaten again converting.

Blair showed impressive pace to score his first try for Scotland in his senior debut, but Robinson quickly responded to Laney's conversion by emerging with the ball for his second try.

South African Pieter Muller chipped ahead of Marcus Di Rollo then outpaced the Scottish replacement to add the seventh try for the Barbarians and Barry Everitt converted.

Scotland's Chris Paterson drove over for a consolation try, converted by Laney, in the dying seconds.

Scotland: G Metcalfe, R Kerr, A Craig, B Laney, C Paterson, D Hodge, M Blair, C Smith, G Bulloch, A Jacobsen, J White, S Grimes (captain), S Taylor, J Petrie, M Leslie. Replacements: S Scott, J Brannigan, N Hines, A Hogg, G Burns, A Henderson), M Di Rollo.

Barbarians: P Montgomery, T Delport, P Muller, P Alatini, P Rossouw, B van Straaten, M Robinson, C Dowd, M Ledesma, M Reggiardo, I Jones (captain), R Strudwick, K Chesney, J Kronfeld, J Williams. Replacements: R Ibanez, A Garvey, K Roche, P Gustard, O Tonu'u, C Dominici, L Botham.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England).


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