Winning start for Robinson as Scots see off Fiji

THE Andy Robinson era got off to a solid but unspectacular start as Scotland eased to victory in their opening autumn international against Fiji.

Tries from Johnnie Beattie – playing his first Test for more than two years – a dubious second from Graeme Morrison and 13 points from Phil Godman saw the hosts leapfrog their depleted opponents into ninth in the world rankings.

Fiji were in the game until Morrison’s score courtesy of a Vereniki Goneva touchdown, with Nicky Little kicking their other points.

Robinson was returning to the Test stage three years after his disastrous reign as England boss came to an end.

Meanwhile Moray Low is prepared to spend all his free time this week replying to congratulatory text messages after marking his first start for Scotland with a man-of-the-match display.

Glasgow tighthead Low was one of a handful of stand-out performers in yesterday’s opening autumn international at Murrayfield.

So dominant was the 24-year-old at scrum time, the tourists were forced to replace loose head Alefoso Yalayalatabua during the interval.

And once Low switched on his phone after the 23-10 victory, he was inundated by a flood of messages from family and friends.

“It’s not stopped buzzing,” he said, pointing to his mobile.

“A lot of people were really happy on the text messages, which I was really proud to receive.

“I need to try to text them all back later this week as well!”

Low, who turns 25 during the final autumn Test on Saturday week, earned his first two Test caps as a replacement during the RBS 6 Nations. But those cameos had nothing on the feeling of starting an international for the first time.

Low paid tribute to new scrum coach Massimo Cuttita and head coach Andy Robinson.

Centre Alex Grove was also delighted with his own debut.

“When I ran out of the tunnel, there were hairs standing up on the back of my neck,” said the 21-year-old Worcester star.

Scotland scorers: Tries: Beattie, Morrison. Cons: Godman 2. Pens: Godman 3.

Fiji scorers: Tries: Goneva. Cons: Little. Pens: Little.

SCOTLAND: R. Lamont, S. Lamont, Grove, Morrison, Danielli, Godman, Cusiter, Jacobsen, Ford, Low, Hines, Kellock, Strokosch, Barclay, Beattie.

Replacements: Paterson for R. Lamont (63), Blair for Cusiter (63), Traynor for Jacobsen (63), Hall for Ford (70), White for Strokosch (65), Vernon for Beattie (80), De Luca for Blair (77).

FIJI: Matavesi, Goneva, Lovobalavu, Bai, Nalaga, Little, Rauluni, Yalayalatabua, Veikoso, Manu, Lewaravu, Rawaqa, Domolailai, Qera, Boko.

Replacements: Ratu for Matavesi (74), Vatuvoka for Rauluni (71), Dewes for Yalayalatabua (41), Ledua for Veikoso (70), Bola for Domolailai (23).

Referee: Chris White (RFU).