Rugby-Townsend praise for Kinghorn as he considers his own future

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Italy - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - March 18, 2023 Scotland's Blair Kinghorn scores their fourth try Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Blair Kinghorn’s strong running game and confidence to take on the defence led to his hat-trick of tries against Italy in Saturday’s 26-14 Six Nations victory at Murrayfield, coach Gregor Townsend said.

Kinghorn started at flyhalf in the absence of the injured Finn Russell and impressed with the scraps of possession he had, scoring his third try in the final seconds as Scotland went the length of the field to secure a nervous victory.