Scots do the job against physical Tonga

Defeating Tonga was never likely to erase the disappointment of the losses to New Zealand and Argentina, but Scotland did a professional job against an awkward opponent.

Tonga were dangerous, in the more literal sense of the word. Some of their high shots and clearouts were ugly, and they probably should have received more than the four cards they did.

The Scots were knocked out of their rhythm for the 36 minutes they failed to trouble the scoreboard, but had softened the Tongans up sufficiently to exploit the gaps that appeared in the final quarter.

Fagerson returns after “dark” times

Every Scotland fan will have been thrilled to see Zander Fagerson back in the dark blue after a horrible few months for the big prop.

Cruelly denied his place on the Lions tour through injury, and just falling short in his race to be fit for the matches against the All Blacks and the Pumas, Fagerson was clearly relishing being back out on the Murrayfield pitch.

“It’s been a dark few months,” he said after the game, and what a delight to see him come through to the other side. He remains one of Scotland’s most important players.

Lock stocks in good shape

The performances of Max Williamson and Alex Samuel, albeit against limited opposition, suggests that Scotland’s second row options will be in a healthy state for the foreseeable future.

Scott Cummings will be the first name on the team sheet when it comes to the lock positions, but the battle to partner him will be very interesting indeed.

Williamson and Samuel will be pushing hard, Grant Gilchrist demonstrated against the All Blacks there is still life in the old warhorse, while Gregor Brown, whilst excelling in the back-row this autumn, offers another combative option further up the scrum.

The second row may now be the most competitive area of the entire team.