Scotland got their under-20 men’s World Rugby off to a flying start by running in 19 tries and 14 conversions to thump Samoa 123-15 at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. Liam McConnell’s men controlled this from the first minute and it really was as easy as 1-2-3 in Pool A.

Scotland took the lead in the eighth minute when second-row Ryan Burke went over from short range. It was not converted, but four minutes later the second try came. From a well-worked lineout drive hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty went over. Stand-off Andrew McLean converted.

It was all one-way traffic and Scotland’s third try came after 15 minutes. This time, after a good break earlier by full-back Fergus Watson, scrum-half Conor McAlpine went over ion his debut. McLean converted.

And, in the 19th minute, Scotland had the bonus point in the bag when McLean showed good feet and also converted for 26-0. It was raining in the ground, but it was pouring for Samoa as, from the next kick-off, their centre Kirisimasi Douglas was yellow cared for a tackle in the air.

With 14 men they did kick a penalty three minutes later via full-back Panaua Niulevaea to get on the scoreboard. With Douglas still off though Scotland made the man advantage count and winger Finlay Doyle showed good pace to score try number five. McLean converted.

And, when Samoa still had 14, tighthead prop Ollie Blyth-Lafferty scored a try on his debut, McLean converting to make it 40-3 after 29 minutes. There was still time for Doyle to get a second, full-back Fergus Watson, centre Johnny Ventisei and loosehead prop Robbie Deans to score tries before half-time, McLean converting four to make it 68-3 at the interval.

Jerry Blyth-Lafferty’s second try in the 42nd minute to make it 71-3 before Doyle completed his hat-trick. Second-row Totoa Auvaa then scored a try for Samoa before replacement Ruaraidh Hart went over and Scotland were 85-8 up after 52 minutes.

A quickfire Watson double, to complete his hat-trick, took Scotland up to 97 points before Callum Norrie’s converted try brought up the century. Auvaa got his second try for Samoa, but tries from McConnell and subs Jack Hocking and Gavin Parry made it 123-15.

Here are key talking points from Hive Stadium:

Scotland needed a quick start - and got one

Being at home and being favourites can weigh on the mind, especially if you aren’t used to winning often like this Scotland side. They knew that Samoa would look to make this a physical affair, but they moved them about from the first whistle. The forwards carried hard and stand-off Andrew McLean was taking the ball to the line and creating space. The driving lineout also got going quickly and to score four tries and secure the bonus point within 19 minutes was just what the doctor ordered.

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Scotland’s pack can really get this team on the front foot

During the Six Nations earlier in the year some of Scotland’s forwards like second-row Euan McVie and back-row Freddy Douglas were excellent. In this game others like the Blyth-Lafferty both stood up well while captain Liam MxcConnell carried hard as did No.8 Tom Currie. Second-row Ryan Burke is also a big lad who is on Glasgow’s books and showed up well here. This type of one-sided teat gave the forwards a chance to build up some cohesion and forwards coach Fergus Pringle clearly has them well drilled.

The backs have talent - and this game will have given them confidence

Often in the Six Nations whitewash earlier in the year the Scotland backline was living off scraps or defending for long periods. With Murdoch Lock and Isaac Coates unavailable for this tournament, there was a new halfback pairing starting this one in Conor McAlpine and Andrew McLean and they linked up well. Winger Finlay Doyle scored a hat-trick of tries and the full-back Finlay Watson is a quality operator. They have clearly worked on being more clinical heading into this event and the handling was a lot crisper than a few months ago, albeit against a splintered and tired defence for large parts of the contest.

Crowds issue

The school holidays have just started and many have jetted off to sunnier climes - it was freezing at Hive Stadium to confirm - but the crowd was fairly sparce for a Scotland match. With the remaining pool matches on a Sunday versus Hong Kong China in a few days time at 2.30lpm and then a big game with Japan on Friday, July 12 at 7.45pm hopefully people will see this result and get down to one of them and cheer the boys on.

Japan will be Scotland’s toughest pool test

Scotland won very well and that was fixture one job done, but Japan won in some style earlier in the day 105-20 versus Hong Kong China. The team relegated from last year’s Championship ran in 17 tries and, should they beat Samoa on Sunday and Scotland, as expected, take victory over Hong Kong China then it will come down to a ‘winner takes all’ Pool A clash between them on July 12. Scotland need to rest and recover from this outing, build momentum versus Hong Kong China and be ready for that expected shoot out.

Match details

Scotland: Fergus Watson; Finlay Doyle, Johnny Ventisei, Findlay Thomson (Kerr Yule, 53), Geordie Gwynn (Jack Hocking, 41); Andrew McLean, Conor McAlpine (Hector Patterson, 53), Robbie Deans (Ben White, 46), Jerry Blyth-Lafferty (Gavin Parry, 46), Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Callum Norrie, 46), Euan McVie (Ruaraidh Hart, 46), Ryan Burke, Liam McConnell (C), Freddy Douglas, Tom Currie (Jonny Morris, 55).

Tries: Burke (8), J Blyth-Lafferty (12, 42), McAlpine (15), McLean (19), Doyle (26, 33, 44), O Blyth-Lafferty (29), Ventisei (36), Watson (38, 58, 59), Deans (39), Hart (52), Norrie (63), McConnell (68), Hocking (75), Parry (78).

Conversions: McLean 12 (12, 15, 19, 26, 29, 33, 38, 39, 52, 59, 63, 68), McAlpine (45), Hocking (78),

Samoa: Panaua Niulevaea; Taitaifono Tavita, Sefuluai Vaimauga (Kitiona Asovale, 37), Kirisimasi Douglas, Thomas Moors (Maoaluma Pasa, 46); Antonio Popoalii, James Singh (Ravuama Seruvakula, 46); Harry Hanipale (Alauni Fatu, 55), Pitone Avito (Jonathan Apelu, 58), Spencer Ioelu (Paul Masoe, 65), Totoa Auvaa, Hennie Faavae (Simon Mauigoa, 50), Josh Fuimaono, Tagiilima Ripine (C), Benjamin Faavae (Senio Faalupega, 53).

Tries: Auvaa (49, 66).

Conversion: Niulevaea (66).

Penalties: Niulevaea (23).

Yellow card: Douglas (20).

Player of the Match: Finlay Watson (Scotland).