Huw Jones stars as late scores push Scotland past Italy in Six Nations opener

Huw Jones came to the fore in the absence of fellow centre Sione Tuipulotu as his hat-trick helped Scotland fend off another Italian comeback to open their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a 31-19 win at Murrayfield.

Much had been made of the injury to their influential captain in the build-up to the championship, but the Scots looked unaffected as they opened up a 14-0 advantage in the first 10 minutes and led 19-6 at the break through scores from Rory Darge, Jones and Ben White.

But Italy, who fought back from 22-10 down to defeat the Scots 31-29 in Rome last March, once again produced a spirited fightback, with the boot of Tommaso Allan and a breakaway try from Juan Ignacio Brex levelling things up at 19-19 heading into the final quarter.

However, the Scots held their nerve to win their opening fixture in the Six Nations for the fifth year in succession as two further tries from Jones – Tuipulotu’s trusty midfield sidekick for both club and country – took the game away from the Azzurri just as they were starting to scent a first win at Murrayfield for 10 years.

Gregor Townsend’s players had spoken extensively in the build-up about how they now possess the mindset required to compete at the sharp end of the tournament, and they signalled their intent with a strong start.

Following a sustained spell of early pressure, co-captain Darge bulldozed his way over on the right with less than four minutes on the clock, and his fellow skipper Finn Russell duly converted.

The Scots continued in the ascendancy and scored again in the ninth minute. Duhan van der Merwe looked set to burst away on the left but was slowed down by Allan before the wing flicked the ball inside to Jones, who was able to dart in for a simple finish