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:
TRY! WALES 14-14 Scotland (Tomas Francis try, 32 minutes)
They can! It’s a thing of real beauty from Wales, splintering the Scottish maul defence and separating into two burly bits as they advance for the line.
Tomas Francis has Ryan Elias with him as he spins away, and the tighthead has spied white - he flops for the ground and roars his approval as he gets the ball to ground. Wales level things up, and that is where the score stays as Dan Biggar’s conversion is missed.
Wales 9-14 Scotland, 31 minutes
A Scottish tackler falls on the wrong side and Sam Skinner does not make enough of an effort to vacate the ruck. He is penalised, and Nic Berry believes a succession of similar offences necessitates a chat with captain Stuart Hogg. Scotland are duly warned.
Wales are going for the corner! A change of strategy. Magnus Bradbury replaces an ailing Fagerson, whose race for the afternoon appears to be run. Can Wales capitalise from the five-metre lineout?
Wales 9-14 Scotland, 30 minutes
Wales have shown real intensity in the carry inside the Scottish 22 and managed to trouble the Steve Tandy-drilled defence in a manner that England didn’t always in the red zone last week. Dan Biggar is bringing runners on nicely from different angles, and Wales are threatening a telling punch.
Wales 9-14 Scotland, 29 minutes
A wry smile perhaps reveals Liam Williams might not have quite meant it but that is a brilliant 50:22! The full-back lifts the ball into the Welsh backfield, skewing it off the inside half of his foot but inadvertently weighting it perfectly. It lands within a metre of the touchline and away from Finn Russell’s waiting hands, and after it skips into touch Wales will trundle down knowing that they will have the line out.
Matt Fagerson gets some treatment to the lower leg as his Scotland teammates assemble themselves to defend the lineout. He’ll try to run the injury off.
PENALTY! Wales 9-14 SCOTLAND (Finn Russell penalty, 28 minutes)
In the shadow of the posts, Finn Russell takes his personal tally to nine points.
Wales 9-11 Scotland, 27 minutes
Ryan Elias misses the mark with his long throw, though it falls fortuitously for Tomos Williams at the back. He gets rid of it swiftly as Scotland approach but that set-piece miscue has Wales all out-of-kilter, and another excellent jackal from Scotland will give Finn Russell another chance from the tee.
Wales 9-11 Scotland, 26 minutes
Wales hoist a man high at the tail and disrupt the Scottish lineout, but Sione Tuipulotu ensures his side retain something resembling attacking continuity by brushing Ross Moriarty aside. Meaty carry.
The ball hits the deck, and Wales seem well placed to scramble upon it, but can’t gather cleanly. Finn Russell drives a pacey grubber for the corner.
PENALTY! WALES 9-11 Scotland (Dan Biggar penalty, 25 minutes)
Wales will take the points from the first Scottish infringement of that passage. Three from three for Dan Biggar, each from slightly closer to the uprights.
Wales 6-11 Scotland, 24 minutes
A lively little passage from Wales, with Dan Biggar picking his passes nicely. Ryan Elias carries strongly and draws a penalty advantage.
Biggar throws something of a hospital pass for Owen Watkin, who is picked up and unceremoniously dumped on his back by Darcy Graham. The officials might have a look at that. Probably just a penalty at most, so TMO Brett Cronan again keeps mum.
Wales 6-11 Scotland, 23 minutes
Ryan Elias hits Adam Beard but Scotland’s maul sack is timed impeccably, just as the second row hits the deck and before he can transfer the ball to the teammates that engulf him. Wales will have to play away, and do, with Alex Cuthbert this time roaming but also well-handled by the Scottish defence.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments