Scotland score seven tries in 47-38 win over Argentina

Scotland began the Nations Championship with a dramatic 47-38 victory away to Argentina in Córdoba, running in seven tries at the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes. The win was a statement of progress after last autumn’s shock home defeat to the Pumas, when Scotland squandered a 21-0 lead.

Gregor Townsend’s side overcame patches of pressure early in each half to secure the win against an Argentina side ranked two places above them. The result takes Scotland to four wins from six Tests this calendar year and leaves them travelling to Pretoria in buoyant mood for next Saturday’s showdown with South Africa (4.40pm). Argentina will host Wales later that evening (8.10pm).

Elsewhere on the opening day of the new competition, New Zealand edged France 34-32 in Christchurch, Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Tokyo, and Andy Farrell’s injury-hit Ireland clinched a 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney. Wales opened their campaign with a 39-24 win over Fiji at the Cardiff City Stadium, while South Africa thumped England 45-21 at Ellis Park.

World Rugby’s 12-team Nations Championship is being presented as a North vs South contest. The tournament is split into two conferences, with northern teams touring the south in July and southern teams travelling north in November. Six rounds of matches will lead to a finals series in London later in November to determine the overall winner.