“A bold, bold call by captain fantastic” – Scots pip Samoa in World Cup epic

Where Chris Robshaw and England failed, Greig Laidlaw and Scotland succeeded.

The Scots overcome a thunderous Samoan start to beat the Pacific Islanders 36-33 in a thriller at St James' Park. Manu Samoa had previously underwhelmed in the tournament - losing all three Pool B games - but they came out flying, and offloading. Scotland trailed 20-13 at one stage but mauled over a fine score just before half-time, despite being down to 14 men. https://twitter.com/BBCSpors/status/652866439855112192 After the break, with Samoa [average age 31] flagging, Scotland were tighter and more disciplined. They took most penalties on offer to edge ahead, 29-26, before Laidlaw made a big, big call. Three points to the good, he turned down three easy points, in front of the posts, and opted for a scrum. It paid off as he took clean scrum ball and sniped over. That converted try was much needed as Motu Matu'a'u screamed over for a late Samoa try that had the Scots sweating until the final moment, when Laidlaw hoofed the ball in the crowd and secured a quarter final. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjAn5IB5XU4