Wales vs Scotland LIVE: Six Nations rugby result and score after Russell yellow card and Biggar drop-goal
Wales 20-17 Scotland: Follow live reaction as the hosts edged a Six Nations thriller in Cardiff to dent the visitors’ title hopes
Follow live reaction from the Six Nations as Wales defeated Scotland in a thrilling match in Cardiff to put a dent in the visitors’ title ambitions. The Scots arrived buoyed their opening win over England but were edged by a Wales side who were in need of a response following their heavy defeat to Ireland last weekend.
The match turned in the closing stages as Finn Russell was shown a yellow for a deliberate knock-on as Wales pushed for a winning try, with Dan Biggar opting for a drop-goal to move Wales into a 20-17 lead. Scotland, who were pushing for rare back-to-back wins to open the Six Nations, could not strike back as Wales ensured that they returned to winning ways in front of their own fans.
In the first half, Biggar kicked Wales into an early lead before Darcy Graham scored the opening try of the match as he finished in the corner from a Russell pass. Russell extended Scotland’s lead from the tee before Biggar cut the lead and then Tomas Francis powered over from a Wales lineout to level the scores at the break. There was little to separate the teams and it remained close after half-time, with Russell and Biggar exchanges penalties to set up a nervy finish at the Principality Stadium.
The crucial spell of the match came after Biggar’s long penalty effort hit the post and Wales stayed on the attack. Alex Cuthbert had a try in the corner overturned by the TMO before Russell’s yellow card was followed by Biggar’s drop-goal to seal a result that sets up a huge clash between France and Ireland later in the day in Paris.
Follow all the reaction from the Principality Stadium in the live blog below:
YELLOW CARD! Finn Russell is sent to the sin bin! Wales 17-17 Scotland, 67 minutes
A single hand extended out from Russell, and he is not afforded the leniency his captain received in the first half - off the ten trudges for a ten minute seat on the naughty step.
There’s just enough cover for Nic Berry to rule that a try would not probably have been scored - Wales kick the penalty into the corner as Jonathan Davies makes his 100th test appearance off the bench.
No try! Wales 17-17 Scotland, 67 minutes
What work from Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson! The pair just get enough of Cuthbert to knock the ball free from his grasp slightly and also drive him into touch, helped out by Sam Skinner arriving.
Hold on - the TMO will also check if Finn Russell has deliberately knocked the ball on in front of Dillon Lewis before Cuthbert gathered. The fly-half might be going here...
Missed Penalty! Wales 17-17 Scotland, 67 minutes
Off the crossbar! It was right at the edge of Biggar’s range, and back it comes off the crossbar.
Scotland knock the ball on and Wales have it in the 22! This is a real chance.
Flung to the left, Scotland rush up and jar the ball free, but Alex Cuthbert grasps it and might have beaten a pair of props to the corner...
Wales 17-17 Scotland, 65 minutes
George Turner is penalised for being slightly inaccurate with his jackal attempt. This is an intriguing one for a limping Dan Biggar - it’s about 47 metres out, just inside the 15-metre line, and probably towards the outer limits of his range, particularly if he is carrying a knock.
He will go for the posts...
Wales 17-17 Scotland, 64 minutes
Dan Biggar plants a crossfield kick perfectly into the bread-basket of Jac Morgan hiding with chalk on his boots, but Darcy Graham has the flanker well marshalled, weighting for him to land and then driving him into touch.
Gareth Thomas replaces Wyn Jones, who can seek a more permanent fix to his wounded nose.
Wales 17-17 Scotland, 62 minutes
Oh dear. Rory Sutherland is holding his arm awkwardly and being guided off the pitch by the medic. That could be a serious blow for Scotland, and Sutherland looks in discomfort as Pierre Schoeman is asked to re-enter the fray in his stead.
More changes for Scotland - Ben White made such an eye-catching debut last week and replaces Ali Price. This week’s debutant is the dynamo Rory Darge, so impressive in the United Rugby Championship this year. He’s on for Jonny Gray, I think, which will push Sam Skinner into the second row.
Wales 17-17 Scotland, 62 minutes
Wyn Jones and Zander Fagerson hit the deck but content with the legality of their actions, Nic Berry permits Scotland to play away.
Wales stand up solidly as Finn Russell flicks the ball wide. Chris Harris is taken by three tacklers and then Jonny Gray two, whose pincer movement squeezes the ball from the second row’s hands.
Wales 17-17 Scotland, 60 minutes
A much better box-kick from Tomos Williams this time, perfectly judged as Dan Biggar chases after it. Biggar, such a great operator in the air, somehow doesn’t beat Darcy Graham in the air, but gets his limbs around the wing as he comes back down to earth. Graham is held up, but as it came directly from a kick it will be Scotland who get the scrum feed.
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