Scotland got their Pool C campaign off to a solid start with an eight-try 56-10 victory over Portugal on Sunday but the losers were by no means disgraced in their first Rugby World Cup appearance.

Fullback Rory Lamont scored twice and hooker hooker Scott Lawson grabbed a third as Scotland started well but Portugal winger Pedro Carvalho then made his mark on rugby history when he crossed in the 28th minute for his country's first-ever World Cup try.

Rob Dewey added a fourth Scots try to earn a 28-10 halftime lead but they had to wait until the 57th minute for their next score from Dan Parks as the Portuguese amateurs maintained their discipline and fitness.

Hugo Southwell, Kelly Brown, and Ross Ford added further scores for the Scots, who now have to wait nine days before facing Romania in Edinburgh. Portugal face the ultimate test against the All Blacks in Lyon next Saturday.

SCOTLAND 56 (Rory Lamont 2, Scott Lawson, Rob Dewey, Dan Parks, Hugo Southwell, Kelly Brown, Ross Ford tries; Dan Parks 5 cons, Chris Paterson 3 cons) bt PORTUGAL 10 (Pedro Carvalho try; Duarte Pinto pen, con)

Reuters