Wales v Scotland LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from Six Nations as thrilling Wales comeback falls short
Wales 26-27 Scotland: Wales roar back from 27-0 down but come up one point short as Scotland win in Cardiff for first time in 22 years
Scotland rugby ended 22 years of hurt in Cardiff after they thwarted a spectacular Wales rugby fightback to win an extraordinary Six Nations clash 27-26.
It was Scotland’s first win in the Welsh capital since 2002 – ending a run of 11 successive defeats – to set up a mouth-watering Murrayfield encounter against France next Saturday.
But Wales made them fight every inch of the way after the Scots had breezed into a 27-point lead after 42 minutes, with wing Duhan van der Merwe scoring two tries including a virtuoso long-range effort while prop Pierre Schoeman also touched down. Captain Finn Russell kicked three conversions and two penalties, but it only told half the story.
Flanker James Botham’s try sparked the Welsh recovery then he was followed over the line by Rio Dyer, Aaron Wainwright and debutant Alex Mann, with Ioan Lloyd kicking three conversions. Scotland found themselves on the rack after hooker George Turner and centre Sione Tuipulotu were sin-binned during the second period, yet they successfully closed the game out and left Wales wondering what might have been.
Relive all the action from Cardiff below. You can get all the latest Six Nations odds and tips here.
TMO REVIEW! Wales 0-20 Scotland
36 mins: A heart-in-mouth moment for Scotland in their own 22 as Watkin charges down Rowe’s clearance kick and flicks it back to Tompkins but he can’t gather and the ball goes forward. Scotland get away with it and earn a scrum.
But the TMO wants to have a look at Luke Crosbie flying into a ruck to see if there’s head contact...
Wales 0-20 Scotland
35 mins: Scotland give away the penalty on halfway and Costelow thumps it down into the 22. Wales have to score here, you feel.
But they overthrow the lineout and possession reverts immediately to Scotland. Deary me.
Wales 0-20 Scotland
33 mins: Scotland did all that with 14 men as Gray had headed off the field but back to 15 now as Sam Skinner comes on for him in the second row.
Scotland’s defence around the gainline is superb. They’re firing up and knocking Wales backwards. The Welsh have no quick ball to work with so resort to kicking, which they’re also not doing well.
TRY! Wales 0-20 Scotland (Duhan van der Merwe 31’)
Richie Gray appears to have left the field with an injured hand, so Scotland down to 14 temporarily. But they’re on the attack, Huw Jones gets into the 22 with a run down the right.
They’re still going forward and it’s a try! Lovely hands out the back by Tuipulotu to free Russell on the wraparound, Costelow overreads the Huw Jones dummy line and Russell slides through a gap, draws the final man and pops to Duhan van der Merwe for a simple run-in. His 22nd try in 35 Scotland caps.
Simple conversion for Russell. This is getting out of hand for Wales.
Wales 0-13 Scotland
29 mins: CRUNCH! Turner with a huge hit on Adams! But Wales into the 22, still. Ritchie gets over the ball at the ruck and it looks like it will be a turnover but Davies just about wrestles it away to retain possession.
And then the attack comes to an end as Davies throws the ball into his own man, Domachowski, and it bobbles forward. So, so poor. Russell then thumps a monster kick clear.
Wales 0-13 Scotland
26 mins: Rowe grabs the loose ball and takes it over halfway but a couple of phases later, Scotland are pinged for not releasing. Good jackal work at the breakdown by Tommy Reffell to stop Pierre Schoeman laying the ball back.
Another good platform for Wales, can they go through the phases in attack and actually make ground?
WATCH: Pierre Schoeman gives Scotland the lead
Here’s that opening try by Pierre Schoeman. Old-school prop finish
PENALTY! Wales 0-13 Scotland (Finn Russell 22’)
Easy kick for Finn Russell and suddenly the lead is 13 points. Wales might start chasing the game now, which could cause more problems.
Wales 0-10 Scotland
21 mins: Halfway through the first half and Wales will be annoyed by their lack of precision in attacking areas so far. Scotland win the free-kick from the scrum, so flip the field with a big kick into the Welsh 22.
They know it’s coming back as Wales are playing a kick-heavy strategy and then Finn Russell thumps a stunning 50-22. Superb but he was given way too much space by Welsh chasers. Wales compound the error as Adams throws the ball into the crowd to stop Scotland taking a quick lineout - you can’t do that.
Scotland will go for three now.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments