Powerful Barbarians overwhelm Scotland

Scotland 15 Barbarians 24

The Barbarians remain on course for a British Grand Slam after beating a Scotland side that wanted a morale-boosting win here last night in the build-up to their matches against South Africa.

The Baa-Baas scored tries at the beginning and end of the first half to take command, suppressing a mid-half rally by the Scots. The Australian wing, Scott Staniforth, went over in the corner early on - Felipe Contempi converting - followed by a try by the London Irish scrum-half, Darren Edwards.

Scotland hit back in the 21st minute when the wing James McLaren dashed over after the flanker Jon Petrie had won loose ball, and Chris Paterson, after missing the conversion, added a penalty from 40 metres.

The Scottish revival was halted by Ollie Le Roux going, and then the French wing Aurélien Rougerie added another try before the break. But Scotland's persistence after the restart paid off in the 67th minute, when Metcalfe powered over and Paterson bagged the extra points to close the gap to just nine.

Scotland: Tries G Metcalfe, McLaren. Conversions Paterson. Penalties Paterson. Barbarians: Tries Staniforth, Rougerie, Edwards, le Roux. Conversions Contepomi 2.

Scotland: G Metcalfe; Webster, Laney, Townsend, McLaren; Paterson, Blair; G Kerr, Bulloch, Douglas, Murray, Hines, Leslie, Taylor, Petrie. Replacements: D Hall, McIlwham, White, Dall, Redpath, Henderson, R Kerr.

Barbarians: Jantjes; Staniforth, Barry, Gibson, Rougerie; Contepomi, Edwards; le Roux, Ibañez, Garvey, Galwey, Louw, Flavell, A Venter, Phelan. Replacements: Sexton, Tournaire, Strudwick, Magne, Perry, C Stoica, Pichot.

Referee: N Whitehouse (Wales).