Scotland secure impressive victory

Stuart Hogg's 90-metre sprint was the highlight of a four-try display from Scotland as they kick-started their RBS 6 Nations campaign with an emphatic 34-10 victory over Italy at Murrayfield.

Hogg's solo counter-attack followed Tim Visser's fifth try in seven internationals and Matt Scott's first as Scotland bounced back in style from their opening defeat by England.

Sean Lamont claimed another breakaway and Greig Laidlaw produced a perfect kicking display before Alessandro Zanni got a late consolation try.

The players who performed poorly in London emphatically made amends as Scotland took control of the game from the start and kept Italy out of their 22 for virtually the whole first half.

Scotland had the game wrapped up with two more tries within six minutes of the restart and produced a strong defensive display in the second period as the visitors dominated possession in the latter stages.

Laidlaw, who was named man of the match, told BBC Sport afterwards: "Absolutely brilliant. There have been tough times for fans - this one's for them.

"We had to do the dirty work. I'm fortunate enough to pick up the man of the match but that's because the forwards did their job."

Scotland's interim coach Scott Johnson added: "I liked our intent. I think straight from the start we were aggressive. We had our chances and we scored off them.

"But that all means nothing if we cannot come here in two weeks and do it again (against Ireland)."