Darcy Graham equalled the record for the most tries for Scotland as they ran in a total of nine in a dominant 59-21 victory over Portugal in their test at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Graham scored the third of Scotland’s five first-half tries to bring his total to 29 in 41 international appearances and equal Duhan van der Merwe’s record.
There were also tries for Arron Reed (2), Will Hurd, captain Stafford McDowell, Josh Bayliss, Jamie Bhatti, Jamie Dobie and a penalty try for a second-string Scottish side, who took four minutes to open the scoring in a sometimes chaotic spectacle.
Fly-half Adam Hastings put over five conversions and Tom Jordan one.
Portugal, whose play at times seemed without structure and blighted by loose passes, tightened up after a frenetic opening period and scored three tries in an impressive show of determination despite being outgunned by their powerful hosts.
The first came from a lineout maul at the end of the first half, with hooker Luka Begic powering over, and then a dart over the line from their 36-year-old scrum-half Samuel Marques in the 55th minute after Portugal’s replacement front row pushed Scotland’s scrum back onto its heels.
Portugal’s wing Raffaele Storti jinked his way through for another in the 67th minute.
The win makes it two out of three for Scotland in their four-match November international schedule at Murrayfield, after beating Fiji but losing to South Africa last weekend. The Scots host Australia next weekend.
05:29 PM GMT
The thoughts of Gregor Townsend
“I thought [Portugal] were really good, they brought line speed in defence. They were physical and if a team plays ambitious rugby, there will be times when they break you. They were very fit. Sometimes you wear a team down and space opens up more, but they kept on going.
“We are pleased with the result. There will be areas where we can improve but credit to Portugal for being a tough opponent today. We had to work out what the defence was doing, and it worked our way. We worked hard, created extra numbers.
“We did not kick on as much in the second half, did not have as much possession, we are frustrated we kicked the ball away in the 22 a few times. It was a solid performance.
“Really pleased for those playing for Scotland at Murrayfield for the very first time, those making their first caps. You could see how committed they were and they put their bodies on the line.”
05:19 PM GMT
Two wins from three so far
05:17 PM GMT
The thoughts of Scotland’s captain for the day, Stafford McDowall
“I was tired after that run-in [for his try], it got the lungs burning early on in the game. It was a really special day, I just waved to my family in the crowd who were up here watching. I am glad we put in a good shift and got a good win.
“In the first half, we got stuck with our shape and did not flow as nicely as we wanted to. I was happy with the performance but credit to Portugal, they really showed up. We knew they were a good attacking side and they definitely showed that.
“We are all desperate to be involved [next week] and a few boys have put their hands up.”
05:16 PM GMT
Proud day for Douglas
Freddy Douglas came on in the second half for Scotland for what was not only his Scotland debut, but also his professional debut. At the age of just 19, he is Scotland’s youngest debutant since 1963.
05:14 PM GMT
Former Scotland international Chris Paterson on Sportsound
“When the cohesion was there, they were really sharp – think of the Bayliss try down the right-hand side, Arron Reed’s first try. There were elements of good cohesion.
“The game lost its rhythm a little, but Scotland can be happy with elements of it. The Portuguese defence was excellent, some real bravery and Scotland had to figure out how best to attack.”
05:12 PM GMT
Next up
A week tomorrow Scotland finish their Autumn Nations Series campaign against Joe Schmidt’s Australia, who are in action against Wales at the Principality Stadium tomorrow.
05:11 PM GMT
Over at Twickenham
England, with back-to-back defeats to their name in this Autumn Nations Series, are taking on the back-to-back world champions South Africa at 5.40pm UK time. You can follow all the action from Twickenham with our dedicated live blog.
05:01 PM GMT
Man of the match
Goes to Tom Jordan, who was the only player to remain in the starting XV from the defeat to South Africa last weekend.
05:01 PM GMT
Full-time
Portugal knock on with the clock in the red and there is the full-time whistle. Scotland are victorious at Murrayfield, beating Portugal 59-21.
04:59 PM GMT
79 mins: Scotland 59 Portugal 21
Did Baptista get that down? He picks up from the base of the scrum and blasts into Graham at the try line. He knocks the Scotland winger back and it looks certain that he will get it down. Graham is on the ground as Crosbie comes across to try and help his teammate.
We go to a TMO review and it feels like some of the ball is touching the ground but the officials do not see conclusive evidence to give it. The key was the original no-try decision so no try is given.
04:55 PM GMT
77 mins: Scotland 59 Portugal 21
Another penalty to Portugal and they will take the scrum, which has looked strong since their replacement front-row has come on.
04:54 PM GMT
76 mins: Scotland 59 Portugal 21
Portugal win a penalty at the scrum and they go to the corner.
04:53 PM GMT
75 mins: Scotland 59 Portugal 21
The whistle is blown for a forward pass by Scotland on the edge of their own 22 but the hosts continue playing and Jordan thinks he has scored. He celebrates, as does most of Murrayfield, blissfully unaware the whistle had long gone.
04:51 PM GMT
TRY! Dobie crosses
Scotland have a penalty advantage just a few metres out from the Portugal line but they do not need it. It stems from a line-out on the Portugal 22. They get closer and closer to the line and eventually it is the replacement scrum-half Dobie who dots down. Jordan now steps up to take the conversion and he does so successfully.
04:47 PM GMT
69 mins: Scotland 52 Portugal 21
Jordan makes the break and he offloads neatly to Bayliss as he is being tackled. The Bath back-row powers ahead into the Portugal 22 and then passes to Reed, who does really well to hold on. Scotland then go for the crossfield kick, trying to find Graham, but the kick is too long.
04:45 PM GMT
TRY! Storti in for Portugal’s third
Portugal punish a sloppy Scotland line-out. Storti hands off Matthews, who has only just come on, and goes over. Scotland will not be happy with their defence or set-piece there. A 21st international try in 29 appearances for the Stade Francais winger. Marques gets the conversion.
04:43 PM GMT
66 mins: Scotland 52 Portugal 14
Portugal attack from deep and Cardoso makes the break into the Scotland half. He kicks ahead but it rolls into touch inside the Scotland 22.
A triple Scotland change which includes 19-year-old Freddy Douglas coming on for his debut. Matthews and Rowe are also on.
04:42 PM GMT
65 mins: Scotland 52 Portugal 14
Portugal are tiring here and Scotland are running riot at the moment. A Portugal penalty at the breakdown allows Scotland to go into the Portugal 22 once more.
Hastings attempts a kick through to try and find Graham but he massively overcooks the kick.
04:39 PM GMT
TRY! Reed bursts through again
He is in for a second try in a matter of moments. Scotland go down the blindside. Hastings times his pass to Currie outside him to perfection and then the ball is shipped out to Reed. The Sale winger cuts inside and speeds through the gap, going through to the try line untouched. That brings up the Scotland 50 and Hastings gets the conversion.
04:37 PM GMT
TRY! Reed gets Scotland’s seventh
Scotland win the line-out and set the maul. They get it out to the backs and, after a couple of long passes, Reed is found in space on the left and there is no stopping the speedy Sale winger. That is his first try in a Scotland jersey at Murrayfield. Hastings lands the conversion and Scotland lead 45-14.
04:35 PM GMT
58 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 14
Portugal go off their feet at the ruck and Scotland win the penalty on the Portugal 22.
Dobie and Currie are on for the hosts in place of Horne and Hutchinson.
Portugal have changed their fly-halves as Aubry is on for Cabral.
04:33 PM GMT
56 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 14
Scotland win a penalty on halfway and Hastings kicks to the Portugal 22.
This time Portugal steal the line-out. However they spill the ball inside their own 22 and Portugal have the ball back.
04:32 PM GMT
TRY! Marques snipes over
What a decision from the Portuguese coaching staff to make those changes when they did. Portugal destroy the Scotland scrum and earn themselves a penalty advantage. Marques does not need it as his dummy allows him to beat Horne and he goes over. The Portugal scrum-half takes the conversion and it is as easy as you like.
04:30 PM GMT
54 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 7
After a few scrum resets, Portugal are changing their entire front-row. A real power play?
04:29 PM GMT
53 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 7
Portugal go to the front of the line-out and should Sutherland be penalised for taking the player out in the air? It is not given and again Scotland are lucky there. Scotland then think they have won the ball back but Sutherland’s strip under the posts goes forward and Portugal have a scrum in front of the posts.
04:27 PM GMT
51 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 7
Graham is in trouble here as Portugal work it nicely through the backs. He sticks his hand out and deliberately knocks on. That is picked up by the officials and we are going to the TMO. It is a cynical knock down but it is only given a penalty. He is a little fortunate not to be shown a yellow card there. Portugal go to the corner and their line-out needs to be better.
04:23 PM GMT
50 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 7
Gregor Townsend has decided now is the time for changes. Three of them in fact. Sutherland, Millar Mills and Johnson are on for Bhatti, Hurd and Craig.
Couto thought his day was over but he is now back on to replace da Cunha.
Portugal had a line-out inside the Scotland 22 but once again it is stolen and the chance goes begging.
04:20 PM GMT
48 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 7
A change in the Portugal back-row as Baptista replaces number eight Couto.
04:19 PM GMT
46 mins: Scotland 38 Portugal 7
A high tackle on the halfway line gives Portugal the chance to send it into the Scotland 22. The chance is gone though as the line-out is stolen.
04:16 PM GMT
TRY! Bhatti gets his first international score for Scotland
Horne intercepts a loose pass from Portugal and is hauled down just a few metres short of the line by desperate Portugal defenders. A few phases later loosehead prop Bhatti manages to force his way over from short range for his first try in international rugby. Hastings’s conversion slides just wide but Scotland lead 38-7.
04:12 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way at Murrayfield. Portugal have made a change at the break as Andrade has replaced Madeira in the second-row.
04:07 PM GMT
Level at the top
04:04 PM GMT
Still to come
After we are finished at Murrayfield, we still have two enthralling matches to come today. First, England badly need a victory against the back-to-back world champions South Africa at Twickenham. Then under the lights at the Stade de France New Zealand travel to take on France. You can follow both of those games live on Telegraph Sport.
03:57 PM GMT
TRY! Portugal do finally cross the whitewash
They do have their first try of the match. They set the maul and Begic breaks off and cannot be stopped over the line. Marques gets the conversion from the touchline and that is half-time. Scotland lead 33-7 at the break.
03:55 PM GMT
40 mins: Scotland 33 Portugal 0
Portugal think they are over in the corner through Bento but the try is chalked off as Bento was in touch. They had a penalty advantage anyway so they go back to the corner.
03:53 PM GMT
40 mins: Scotland 33 Portugal 0
With the clock in the red, Portugal have a penalty inside the Scotland 22. They go to the corner.
03:51 PM GMT
TRY! Bayliss over in the corner
The home side have a penalty advantage but they do not need it. Hutchinson is going down the right-hand touchline and they have a two-on-one. As he loses his footing, he gets the offload out of the back of the hand to Bayliss, who gets over in the corner. Hastings gets the conversion and Scotland lead 33-0 as Portugal are now restored to 15 men.
03:49 PM GMT
36 mins: Scotland 26 Portugal 0
Scotland break through Jordan down the right and he offloads to Hutchinson. The Northampton centre kicks ahead into the Portugal 22 but the visitors manage to clear their lines.
03:48 PM GMT
TRY! Graham gets Scotland’s fourth
From Marques’ rushed clearance, Horne acrobatically keeps the ball in play. The ball comes to Graham, who steps a few Portuguese defenders and finds the gap to run through for the try. Graham scored four tries against Fiji two weeks ago but missed last week’s defeat to South Africa due to an head injury. That try brings him level with Duhan van der Merwe on 29 tries at the top of the Scotland try-scoring charts. Hastings lands an easy conversion.
03:46 PM GMT
33 mins: Scotland 19 Portugal 0
That is a really poor error from the away side. As they kick the ball away, they are caught offside which gives Scotland another great opportunity to kick into the corner.
Portugal steal the line-out but Marques is under huge pressure to clear…
03:45 PM GMT
32 mins: Scotland 19 Portugal 0
From the Scotland line-out on halfway, they send it into the backs and Reed makes great ground using his electric pace but his attempted offload to Graham near the Portugal 22 does not go to hand and ends up in touch.
03:44 PM GMT
31 mins: Scotland 19 Portugal 0
Portugal set the maul but are done for obstruction.
03:42 PM GMT
30 mins: Scotland 19 Portugal 0
Portugal are into double figures of phases and not really going anywhere but are awarded a penalty as Scotland are punished for not rolling away just inside the Portuguese half. They kick to the Scotland 22.
03:39 PM GMT
PENALTY TRY SCOTLAND!
The hosts set the maul and look like they are going to go over. The referee has spotted an infringement from Portugal which stopped the try from being scored so he goes under the posts to signal the penalty try. Portugal second-row Torgal is sent to the sin-bin.
03:37 PM GMT
26 mins: Scotland 12 Portugal 0
Portugal are penalised for side entry at the maul and Scotland will go back to the corner for a five-metre line-out.
03:36 PM GMT
25 mins: Scotland 12 Portugal 0
Portugal hold Hutchinson up in the tackle but are told to release. N. Martins rips the ball after he was told to release Hutchinson and the whistle is blown. Scotland have the penalty and kick into the corner.
03:33 PM GMT
22 mins: Scotland 12 Portugal 0
Scotland are penalised and instead of going to touch, Marques goes quickly from inside his own 22. Portugal end up kicking the ball away but Scotland were perhaps a little fortunate not to be punished for not retreating 10 metres.
03:31 PM GMT
21 mins: Scotland 12 Portugal 0
Scotland are in the Portugal 22 and Graham is absolutely smashed back by Ferreira. Portugal think they are about to win possession but they are penalised. Scotland have opted for the scrum in front of the posts.
03:29 PM GMT
19 mins: Scotland 12 Portugal 0
Lima thinks he has gathered a wayward pass by the hosts and is racing away but the referee’s whistle is blown. Madeira is adjudged to have knocked on and Scotland will have a scrum. Portugal thought they were going to race in for a try.
03:26 PM GMT
16 mins: Scotland 12 Portugal 0
From a Scotland scrum in centre field, they ship it wide to the left and Sale winger Reed is found on the left-hand touchline. He races into the Portugal 22 before being taken down. After a few phases of being pushed back, they move it right and Graham sprints down the right-hand touchline after neat footwork. He offloads inside to Jordan but the ball is spilt forward.
Portugal win the scrum penalty and can clear their lines.
03:22 PM GMT
TRY! Captain on the day McDowall scores
What was I just saying about Portugal lacking in composure in possession. They have the ball in the centre of the pitch and Storti was looking for an offload to his left. McDowall is on hand to intercept that pass and cannot be caught. It is the easiest of conversions for Hastings in front of the posts.
03:20 PM GMT
10 mins: Scotland 5 Portugal 0
Storti does beautifully to chip ahead and gathers it but his offload is straight to Graham. Portugal need to show a little more composure in possession.
03:18 PM GMT
8 mins: Scotland 5 Portugal 0
Scotland concede their first penalty of the match as they are caught offside at the ruck, which gives Portugal their first attacking opportunity inside the Scotland half.
They waste the chance as a chip forward from scrum-half Marques is gobbled up by Scotland.
03:15 PM GMT
TRY! Scotland off the mark
Scotland win the line-out and set the maul. They give it to the backs and a few phases later are just inches from the Portugal line. They are surely going to score and they do. Leicester prop Hurd is the one who powers over for Scotland’s first try of the match. Hastings’ conversion slides past the left-hand upright but Scotland have an early lead.
03:12 PM GMT
2 mins: Scotland 0 Portugal 0
Portugal play from inside their own half rather than kick and are punished for their inaccuracy as they are penalised for holding on. Scotland are not interested in the posts as Hastings kicks towards the corner.
03:10 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way at Murrayfield.
03:03 PM GMT
Kick-off fast approaching
Both sides have emerged from the tunnel at Murrayfield. There is a minute’s applause before the anthems for former Scotland player Derrick Grant, who died last Sunday aged 86.
“A Portuguesa” followed by “Flower of Scotland”. Anne, Princess Royal is in attendance today.
03:00 PM GMT
Reminder of the team news
Scotland starting XV: T Jordan, D Graham, R Hutchinson, S McDowall, A Reed, A Hastings, G Horne; J Bhatti, P Harrison, W Hurd, A Craig, A Samuel, L Crosbie, B Muncaster, J Bayliss.
Replacements: J Matthews, R Sutherland, E Millar Mills, E Johnson, F Douglas, J Dobie, M Currie, K Rowe.
Portugal starting XV: S Bento; R Storti, J Lima, T Appleton, L Martins; D Cabral, S Marques; D Costa, L Begic, D Hasse Ferreira, J Madeira, D Torgal, A Cunha, N Martins, F Couto.
Replacements: A Cunha, P Vicente, A Prim, A Andrade, V Baptista, A Campos, H Aubry, M Pinto.
02:57 PM GMT
Young fans in attendance
02:54 PM GMT
The thoughts of Ben White
With Gregor Townsend making plenty of changes, Toulon scrum-half Ben White is not involved for the hosts today but he has been speaking ahead of the game to TNT Sports:
02:48 PM GMT
TNT crew on Scotland’s depth
02:45 PM GMT
Russell to join breakaway league?
“Finn Russell and Antoine Dupont feature on a global franchise league wish list under ambitious plans to target the world’s best players on double-your-money deals and kick-start a new era of rugby.
“A source informed Telegraph Sport that Scotland fly-half Russell has been approached to be the headline attraction from the Gallagher Premiership to join the project. It is also thought Dupont, the France scrum-half, will be a major target for the USA-backed competition, with the 28-year-old said to personify “the best of the best”. Bringing in Dupont, a source indicated, would underline the ambition of the competition.”
For more from our rugby writers on this seismic story, click here.
02:41 PM GMT
Inside the home dressing room
02:39 PM GMT
Telegraph Rugby Podcast
Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move! New episodes out Mondays.
02:36 PM GMT
On the move?
Tom Jordan is the only man to remain in the Scotland starting XV from the defeat to South Africa but he will be changing clubs at the end of the season? He is set to swap Glasgow for Bristol for a salary of around £300,000. Charles Richardson has the full story.
02:29 PM GMT
Get your rugby fix
02:23 PM GMT
The thoughts of Gregor Townsend on their opponents today, Portugal
“Portugal play a brand of rugby that will stress our defence, and they know that it is an opportunity playing a Six Nations side with a big crowd at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.
“It is an opportunity for players to play for Scotland who have trained really hard, and trained really well over the last few weeks, but it is also players who we believe in. Some featured for us on summer tour, others have been in really good form for their clubs, and we believe that this squad can deliver a result this weekend.”
02:17 PM GMT
The thoughts of Scotland’s captain this week, Stafford McDowall
“It is something that I did not think I would have the chance to do. It is a dream come true to play for Scotland and start a game at Murrayfield, never mind lead the team out. So it is hopefully something I will be able to take in and remember for the rest of my life.
“I think the closer we get to the game the more it will probably hit me and I will get a bit more nervous. It hit me a bit more when I had to do a bit more talking and stuff like that than the last couple of weeks.
“It is something that I might never get a chance to do again, lead a Scotland team out at Murrayfield, so I will try and embrace and enjoy the moment.”
02:12 PM GMT
Weekend’s rugby
The action began last night in Dublin as Ireland edged out Argentina 22-19.
Later this afternoon England, on a run of four straight defeats, take on the might of South Africa and you will be able to follow all the action from Twickenham with us later.
The day’s action concludes with an humdinger as France host New Zealand at the Stade de France, which again you can follow on Telegraph Sport and you will absolutely want to.
Tomorrow, Italy play Georgia and Wales host Australia, which we will be blogging.
02:06 PM GMT
Team news
Gregor Townsend has rung the changes, making 14 alterations to the Scotland starting XV from the defeat to South Africa. Tom Jordan is the only player to remain in the starting team as centre Stafford McDowall is given the honour of captaining the side. Winger Darcy Graham, who missed the South Africa defeat due to a head injury, returns to the XV. Alex Samuel and Ben Muncaster will earn their first caps in the starting pack whilst Freddy Douglas is set to make his debut at the age of just 19.
Scotland starting XV: T Jordan, D Graham, R Hutchinson, S McDowall, A Reed, A Hastings, G Horne; J Bhatti, P Harrison, W Hurd, A Craig, A Samuel, L Crosbie, B Muncaster, J Bayliss.
Replacements: J Matthews, R Sutherland, E Millar Mills, E Johnson, F Douglas, J Dobie, M Currie, K Rowe.
A number of the Portugal players ply their trade in French club rugby, including a few Top 14 players such as Stade Francais winger Raffaele Storti and Montpellier back-row Nicolas Martins.
Portugal starting XV: S Bento; R Storti, J Lima, T Appleton, L Martins; D Cabral, S Marques; D Costa, L Begic, D Hasse Ferreira, J Madeira, D Torgal, A Cunha, N Martins, F Couto.
Replacements: A Cunha, P Vicente, A Prim, A Andrade, V Baptista, A Campos, H Aubry, M Pinto.
Referee: Takehito Namekawa (JPN)
01:51 PM GMT
Match preview
Scotland’s Autumn Nations Series campaign continues this afternoon as they host Portugal at Murrayfield. After beating Fiji comprehensively in their opening fixture of the month, they fell to a 32-15 defeat to South Africa last Sunday. Scotland forwards coach John Dalziel believes they are getting closer to the world’s best sides.
“I think we are on the right path. If you look at even the growth from the World Cup [18-3 defeat by South Africa], I think we were arguably out of that game in periods. We were second fiddle the whole game. I think we have taken a lot of learnings from that period, learnings from the Six Nations. We have grown the group, we’re evolving the whole time. We feel we are getting closer.
“We have all the components. We just need to find a way of, once we have worked for 60 minutes, to keep ourselves in there, we need to find a way of getting over that last hurdle. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it. I definitely feel in the last few Tests we have fronted up and we’re sure we can be competitive away from home or at home against the top teams.”
Scotland will not have the services of lock Scott Cummings available to them this weekend, after his red card against South Africa has led to a one-match ban. In addition to Cummings, Scotland will be without Jack Dempsey, Max Williamson and Gregor Brown, who have all picked up injuries. Hooker Johnny Matthews and prop Alex Hepburn have been called up to the squad.
Portugal, who are currently 15th in the world rankings, lost 21-17 against the USA last weekend. They did feature at last year’s World Cup, claiming their first ever win in the competition by beating Fiji 24-23. They also claimed a draw at last year’s World Cup against Georgia. Their captain, Tomás Appleton, played a season at Darlington Mowden Park back in 2015-16. Dalziel feels there will be no complacency from Scotland this weekend against Portugal.
“We have got to pay ultimate respect to Portugal. They are coming to play against a Six Nations side away from home for the first time, 55,000 people at Murrayfield. They have got a game that can rival anybody, we have seen that at the World Cup. Their defeat against Fiji, they were very competitive.
“They should have done better against Wales where they had opportunities to win that game. We will give them the full respect. There will be a couple of players I would imagine freshening up, but we will pick a strong Test team to win this weekend. We want to finish with three wins.”
These sides have only met twice before; in a qualifying game for the 1999 World Cup and at the Rugby World Cup in 2007. Scotland won both games, winning 86-11 in 1998 and 56-10 in 2007.
