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:
Was Stuart Hogg lucky?
“I think he does know what he is doing,” says Hogg’s former teammate John Barclay of the Scotland captain’s early knock-on, which looked very much deliberate. I’d suggest the full-back was fortunate to remain on the pitch given how Wales were advancing and the extension of his hand to block Tomos Williams’ offload.
Scotland will have to be careful of their discipline. When you attack the breakdown as they have, your penalty count will always swell but the lazy tacklers failing to roll away became a persistent problem of which Nic Berry was tiring. Their maul defence also looks a concern - that’s the second week in a row they have been blown apart by a rumbling mass in the build-up to a try.
H/T: Wales 14-14 Scotland
A more even opening 40 minutes you could scarcely find - almost exactly 25% of play has taken place in each quarter of the pitch, and both sides have played similarly, showing the ambition to play wide and attack with speed and attacking the breakdown heavily when on defence. One try apiece: a slither through a sliver from Darcy Graham on the right for Scotland; a bulkier bundle through from Tomas Francis from a maul at the other.
Perfectly poised.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 42 minutes
The latter. Dan Biggar sends everyone down the tunnel.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 40 minutes
Wyn Jones’ nose is still dripping, so the medic will give him some more cotton wool marshmallows to plug the nostrils.
He and WP Nel haven’t taken a particularly liking to one another. Nic Berry is unhappy with their pre-scrum jawing, and calls them into his office for a telling off before dispatching them back to the set-piece. Will Wales play with the clock dead or are they content at 14 points apiece?
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 39 minutes
Scotland kick into the Welsh half and Chris Harris threatens to bust through on a lovely unders angle through the centre. But Scotland aren’t quite fully clicking - Finn Russell pulls back a blind pass betwixt and between three teammates and Harris’ handling is equally uncertain on the floor. Knock-on, Welsh scrum.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 37 minutes
Liam Williams kicks high for himself to chase and taps the ball back for his side in the air. Wales play to the left and have an overlap, briefly, Scotland’s drift getting across effectively to close it down.
A messy breakdown ends up with the ball on the Scottish side, somehow, but when Welsh hands emerge from the next ruck holding something ovate, Nic Berry believes they have got the ball illegally.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 36 minutes
The scrum hasn’t looked entirely stable so far, and there’s a little bit of claret coming from the nose of Wyn Jones to complicate things as he does battle with WP Nel once more.
Solid enough and off Scotland go, switching the point of attack from right to left but well managed by Wales. Nick Tompkins grabs Sione Tuipulotu before the inside centre can gather momentum and Wales soon win the ball back through Taine Basham.
Wales 14-14 Scotland, 34 minutes
Both sides have gone at this game with real zeal. Scotland will have their chance to attack in the Welsh half, with Stuart Hogg’s goose-step causing a problem for the Welsh wide defence. Duhan van der Merwe is launched far away from his left wing but the hosts have spotted him coming, and drive him back.
A powerful counter-ruck wins the Welsh the ball back but Ryan Elias fumbles as he tries to pick up.
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