Scotland signed off on a turbulent 2025 with a comfortable 56-0 win over Tonga at Murrayfield.
The Scots were never in any danger against the Pacific Islanders, who showed ill-discipline right from the off and were put to the sword, particularly in the second half as Scotland’s strength from the bench showed.
Gregor Townsend’s side - which showed 14 changes from last weekend’s painful defeat by Argentina - ran in eight tries. Substitutes George Horne and Ewan Ashman bagged doubles and there were scores from Jamie Ritchie, George Turner, Max Williamson and Duhan van der Merwe. Fergus Burke and Horne were flawless from the tee.
While Scotland will be have pleased to have chalked up such an impressive scoreline and rallied after the defeat against the Pumas, their full record this year only shows wins over Italy, Wales, Maori All Blacks, Samoa, USA and Tonga, with defeats from more established nations such as England, France, Ireland, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.
It is a set of results that has placed further scrutiny on head coach Gregor Townsend, whose future was questioned in the build-up to this game.
Here are the player ratings from the match against Tonga at Murrayfield.
1. Rory Sutherland
Decent enough display from the prop, who showed up well in the physical battle with the monstrous Tongans. Replaced on 48 minutes. 7 | SNS Group / SRU
2. George Turner
Marked his 50th cap for Scotland by landing the second try of the match on 14 minutes. Victim of a very late shoulder charge on 22 minutes. Can be happy with his day's work after coming off not long into the second half. 8 | SNS Group / SRU
3. Zander Fagerson
A welcome return for the tighthead prop, who was making his first appearance following seven months out due to injury. Was taken off after 48 minutes and did everything that was asked of him, so nearly scoring on two occasions before being held up. 7 | SNS Group / SRU
4. Alex Samuel
Second row battled well in the line-out and carried powerfully. Part of a back that refused to be bullied by the sheer force of the Tongans. 8 | SNS Group / SRU