Huw Jones in action for Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

A hat-trick of tries by Huw Jones inspired Scotland to a
31-19 victory over Italy in their Six Nations match at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Two of Jones’s tries in the second half secured the host’s
victory — with a bonus point to boot — after Italy had battled back from 14-0
down to level at 19-19.

The Scots are home to two-time defending champions Ireland
next weekend, while Italy hosts a Wales side nursing their wounds after a 43-0
thrashing by France.

Co-skipper Rory Darge got the Scots on the board in the
fourth minute with his sixth try in his 26th Test — his fellow captain Finn
Russell converted for 7-0.

Five minutes later, the Scots were over again as Duhan van
der Merwe selflessly fed Jones, who finished off a move started by Jamie
Ritchie — Russell converted for 14-0.

Two penalties from Tommaso Allan reduced the lead to eight
points.

The Scots were far more incisive in terms of building
attacks, Italy captain Michele Lamaro forcing a knock-on from Russell yards
from the line prevented a third try.

However, their pressure paid off, scrumhalf Ben White
raising his arm in celebration after he went over, hooker Dave Cherry’s sublime
offload setting it up.

Cherry, previously best known in his Test career for being
ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup after falling down the stairs at the team
hotel, earned a kiss on his bald pate from White in appreciation.

Russell missed with the conversion to leave the hosts 19-6
in front.

The Scots were denied a fourth try as Paolo Garbisi won a
penalty for Italy deep inside his 22, which prompted Scots head coach Gregor
Townsend to hit the wall of the coach’s booth in frustration.

That allowed the visitors to breathe a little, and Allan’s
unerring boot added three points to their tally shortly before half-time to
send them in 19-9 behind.

Allan kept the Italians in the match with a penalty early in
the second half to put them just a converted try behind.

They secured that shortly afterwards as the worst side of
Russell materialised, a telegraphed pass picked off by Juan Ignacio Brex, who
galloped half the length of the pitch to touch down under the posts.

Allan converted for 19-19.

The Italian’s tails were up, and their defence turned the
ball over after the Scots had gone for touch rather than an easy three points.

The Scots got their noses back in front, though, thanks to a
piece of individual brilliance from Darcy Graham.

The wing danced his way past several Italians from deep
inside his half and then passed to the charging Jones, who ran in unopposed —
Russell converted for 26-19.

Jones had his hat-trick in the 67th minute, stepping inside
Paolo Garbisi and breaking Danilo Fischetti’s tackle to force his way over the
line.

Russell’s conversion drifted wide, but the hosts had a
12-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The Italians pressed and had a succession of penalties, but
the Scots held out for a victory they just about deserved, their eighth win in
their last nine Tests.

Src: News24.com