Scotland's electric back-three pairing of Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham produced a masterclass in finishing as Gregor Townsend's side comfortably dispatched the USA Eagles 42-7 in their summer Test encounter in Washington DC.
The visitors ran in six impressive tries against an outclassed American side, with the wing duo demonstrating exactly why they're considered among world rugby's most dangerous finishers.
Van der Merwe Equals Historic Record
Edinburgh powerhouse Duhan van der Merwe crossed the whitewash twice, bringing his international tally to 27 tries and drawing level with the legendary Stuart Hogg as Scotland's joint-highest try-scorer. The first came from a cleverly worked set-piece move, while the second showcased his raw power and determination close to the line.
'It's pretty special to be up there with Hoggy,' van der Merwe commented after the match. 'He's a Scotland great and to be level with him is an incredible feeling.'
Graham's Spectacular Solo Effort
Not to be outdone, Darcy Graham produced the moment of the match with a breathtaking individual try that left several American defenders grasping at thin air. The Hawick flyer collected the ball deep in his own half and embarked on a mesmerising run, combining blistering pace with exquisite footwork to score under the posts.
Scotland's other tries came through hooker Ewan Ashman, centre Matt Currie, and replacement Jamie Dobie, with fly-half Ben Healy contributing 12 points from the tee in a polished kicking display.
Room for Improvement Despite Comfortable Win
While the scoreline suggests complete dominance, head coach Gregor Townsend identified areas needing improvement before Scotland face tougher challenges ahead.
'We created a lot of opportunities and scored some excellent tries,' Townsend noted. 'But we also left a few out there and our discipline will need to be better against higher-ranked opposition.'
The USA's solitary consolation came from flanker Luke White, capitalising on a period of Scottish defensive disorganisation, but the Eagles struggled to match their opponents' intensity and precision throughout the contest.
This convincing victory provides Scotland with positive momentum as they continue their summer preparations, with the clinical finishing of van der Merwe and Graham offering particular encouragement for the challenges that lie ahead in the international calendar.
