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:
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 47 minutes
Kicky kicky kick kick. There is a certain logic to playing the territorial battle but that’s a loose effort from Owen Watkin, booting away what appeared to be good attacking ball for Wales after their maul had rumbled some ten metres or so on the left. He shanks it horribly straight out.
Wyn Jones’ bloody nose again needs attention. The flow is once more stemmed.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 46 minutes
The ball really has spent most of the second half so far making merry passage through the Cardiff sky. Stuart Hogg takes Dan Biggar’s high hoist effectively; three kicks later an adventurous chipped effort from the Scotland captain bounces over the Principality Stadium surface and into touch. Cagey stuff.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 45 minutes
Dan Biggar tests the flexion of his knee after taking a bang in that latest movement. He’s fine to continue.
Here come the Scottish cavalry! We thought they might arrive early and the replacement front row are brought on en masse: George Turner, Rory Sutherland and Zander Fagerson relieve Stuart McInally, Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 44 minutes
All of that kicking comes to a close as Stuart Hogg tries one of his trademark driven spirals, but he starts it slightly too far to the right. It threatens to curve and pitch just infield but it lands over the touchline - Wales will have the lineout throw in Scottish territory. Well-directed, that was a 50:22, but there was plenty of space for Hogg to find and he was perhaps guilty of being a little over-ambitious, skilful though he is with that booming right boot.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 43 minutes
Ali Price over-cooks his box kick as the two sides again engage in a game of aerial ping-pong. Louis Rees-Zammit claims a mark and kicks again for touch.
More kicking. Liam Williams is up well to defuse Finn Russell’s high bomb.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 42 minutes
And in a reversal of the first-half trends, Wales are keen to keep the ball off the pitch, Louis Rees-Zammit troubling the punters in the second row with his punt.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 41 minutes
Good start to the second period for Wales - Louis Rees-Zammit gets his hand highest to win back the restart. Scotland then stall the hosts, who kcick in behind, but Stuart Hogg hurries across and clears.
A kicking exchange ensues, Finn Russell very nearly finding an improbable 50:22 with a banana down the right, but Liam Williams grabs it before it can hop for the touchline and a nifty juke from his full-back affords Tomos Williams the time he needs to thump away.
Back out there
Scotland re-emerge having consumed their half-time oranges, swiftly followed by Wales. What treats does the second half have in store? You sense this may just go the distance.
Dan Biggar to get things back underway.
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