Wales survive Scotland’s second-half onslaught to set-up Grand Slam tilt against Ireland
Relive all the action from the Six Nations clash at Murrayfield
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales survived a second-half onslaught from Scotland to prevail 18-11 at Murrayfield and take one step closer towards the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Wales were cruising to a fourth win out of four when at half-time it led 15-6, a scoreline that flattered the Scots, who were coming off two bumbling losses to Ireland and France.
Then Scotland suddenly came alive to own the second half. Grant Gilchrist was held up over the line, then Darcy Graham finished a brilliant backs move, and Scotland trailed by only four with 22 minutes to go and their crowd roaring them on.
Scotland had virtually all of the possession in the half, was forcing penalties, and had Wales pinned down, but the Scots found their progress hindered by their own errors, a spill or poor pass or turnover. Wales' renowned defense also came to the fore, as it made 138 tackles in the second half after 66 in the first.
The match finished with Wales in the Scotland 22 for the first time since the end of the first half, and Gareth Anscombe kicking a second penalty.
Relive all the action below.
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47 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: Finally a spell of pressure as Alan Del runs from deep and makes around 20 metres, bringing Murrayfield back from their slumber. They're roared on through the phases but then Russell slings a pass into touch.
48 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: Liam Williams is substituted in considerable pain, cradling his right arm. That's a worry for Wales' Grand Slam hopes.
50 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: But Scotland come again as Nick Grigg looks to test Wales' defensive line. He's stripped of the ball but it's deemed, somewhat fortuitously, as a high tackle and Scotland kick to the corner.
Scotland win a penalty from the resulting drive and they'll take the five-metre scrum.
56 min: Scotland 6-15 Wales: You sense if Scotland are going to get back in this game they have to secure points here, but this Welsh defence are so resilient. Hastings looks to charge through the backline but is brought down by Biggar and Wales win the penalty for not releasing.
Scotland win the lineout, though, and after going through the phases George North is penalised for a high-tackle on Ali Price.
58 min: TRY! Scotland 11-15 Wales (Darcy Graham)
They've done it! A wonderful finish from Scotland who've finally breached the Welsh tryline.
Scotland finally get their reward after a brilliant spell over the last ten minutes with a set-piece play. Russell has the ball on the left hand side of the pitch and tucks a pass inside to McGuigan and the ball whizzes through hands before Hastings sets up Graham to dive over in the corner.
It's a tricky conversion and Russell can't add the extras, but Scotland have Wales under pressure now and Murrayfield is a cauldron of cheers.
62 min: Scotland 11-15 Wales: More success for the Scots from the restart as they win a penalty thanks to a deft grubber kick from Finn Russell with Wales penalised for diving in off their feet. Scotland kick into the Welsh 22 and the maul sets about its way.
64 min: Scotland 11-15 Wales: Eventually Scotland are penalised on the attack after a series of warnings for not leaving enough space between the forwards at the lineout.
And suddenly Wales have the chance to score after Hadleigh Parkes toe-pokes a loose ball downfield. Gareth Davies is first to it and is brought down just yards before the tryline. Eventually though, with Scotland's defence operating on strings, a knock on provides relief. Scotland were almost caught out there.
68 min: Scotland 11-15 Wales: And Scotland charge forward once again. Stuart McInally breaks through the defence in the Welsh 22 and there's a series of over 15 phases.
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