Scotland, the next opponent of the XV of France, began the preparation of the World Cup-2023 with a long success to emerge in front of Italy (25-13), Saturday, at Murrayfield.
The XV du Chardon, which receives the Blues in a week in Edinburgh, scored three tries by winger Darcy Graham (13th, 56th) and third row Josh Bayliss (80th).
Without Stuart Hogg, who surreptitiously retired at the start of July, or Finn Russell, left to rest, the Scots alternated between good and bad. Still in the run-in, the proteges of Gregor Townsend, carried by an effective Ben Healy, were also led at the break (6-5) before finishing the match better against borrowed Transalpine.
Apart from Monty Ioane’s try (62nd), the Italians never seemed able to worry a largely overhauled Scottish XV for this first match of preparation for the World Cup.
Poured into a formidable pool B, with in particular the South African world champions or the Irish world N.1, the XV du Thistle did not shine but nevertheless demonstrated good things, especially in the scrum. The Blues of Fabien Galthié are warned.
