Scotland vs Argentina match report: Grays set tone as Scots storm to victory over Pumas

Scotland 41 Argentina 31: Brothers Richie and Jonny both cross as Scotland record five-try victory

Richie Gray scores for Scotland (Getty Images)

Brothers and fellow locks Richie and Jonny Gray celebrated their first-ever game of competitive rugby alongside one another by plundering the first two of their side’s five tries as a new-look Scotland side stormed to a 41-31 victory against Argentina at Murrayfield.

Winger Sean Maitland also crossed the whitewash to make it a highly satisfying first home match for Scotland head coach Vern Cotter, who replaced Scott Johnson in the summer. It was the Scots’ first success against the Pumas on home ground since November 1990 – inspired by their dynamic scrum-half and captain, Greig Laidlaw, now playing some of his best rugby for Gloucester.

Argentina got off to a flying start, flanker Javier Ortega Desio haring 56m to score with just 90 seconds on the clock. Fly-half Nicolas Sanchez landed the conversion but Scotland were level at 7-7 four minutes later when Richie Gray barged through a gap and Laidlaw converted.

Jonny Gray (l) and brother Richie (r) played together for Scotland for the first time (Getty Images)

After right-wing Juan Imoff was yellow-carded in the 21st minute, Scotland scored two quick converted tries, both fashioned by the outstanding Laidlaw – courtesy of Jonny Gray and Sean Maitland. Scotland led 21-10 and the gap soon increased as Laidlaw added a penalty.

Laidlaw also teed up a try for full-back Stuart Hogg (left) in the 47th minute and nailed another penalty, his 14-point contribution making him Scotland’s third top point-scorer of all time. Seymour added a fifth try for Scotland in the 71st minute, while Argentina claimed three more in the closing stages – a penalty try and two clever scores by Tomas Cubelli.