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 6-11 Scotland, 22 minutes
Pierre Schoeman populates a breakdown again but this time is not supporting his body weight. Wales kick down into the Scottish 22.
Wales 6-11 Scotland, 21 minutes
Matt Fagerson is off to another strong start here, putting some footwork on the Welsh chasers after taking the restart and making yet more metres.
Stuart Hogg twice puts Scotland on the front foot in the kicking contest with driven spirals, and Liam Williams then skews a return high into the sky.
Tomos Williams is in the right place to gather it, though, and Wales can attack from near halfway.
PENALTY! Wales 6-11 SCOTLAND (Finn Russell penalty, 20 minutes)
Another easy one for Finn Russell.
Wales 6-8 Scotland, 19 minutes
The Scotland maul from the lineout skews infield initially but then rolls away from the bodies and is able to move perpendicular to that original path. Stuart McInally nearly capitalises by bursting into space but is hauled back.
Wales are penalised for their entry into that maul, and Scotland will look to extend their advantage.
Wales 6-8 Scotland, 17 minutes
Gloucester on Gloucester as Chris Harris chops down Louis Rees-Zammit by his quads as the wing roams seeking space. There is rarely open acreage to be found down Harris’ channel.
That stalls the Welsh attack’s momentum, and though Tomas Francis pivots in contact in a bid to regenerate it the prop only succeeds in isolating himself, allowing scrum rival Pierre Schoeman to jackal over the top, and win another Scottish breakdown penalty.
PENALTY! Wales 6-8 SCOTLAND (Finn Russell penalty, 16 minutes)
Over it goes from right in front. Scotland in front for the first time.
Wales 6-5 Scotland, 15 minutes
They do, but that’s lazy from the Welsh forwards. Perhaps not expecting Russell to miss touch so horrendously, they forget the basics of kick-chasing and fail to hold their ground or retreat until put onside. All the way back Nic Berry pulls the players and Russell will have a shot at goal.
Wales 6-5 Scotland, 14 minutes
Wales are trying to attack the breakdown as Wayne Pivac promised they would, but with questionable legality so far. Ross Moriarty is the man picked out on this occasion, troubling the ball with his hands while off his feet.
It matters not - Finn Russell slices his touch-finder and Wales will kick back to Scotland.
TRY! Wales 6-5 SCOTLAND (Darcy Graham try, 12 minutes)
And Darcy Graham squeezes over in the corner! A lovely Scottish score, Sione Tuipulotu rushing up and then pivoting at the line to flip the ball back to his fly-half. Finn Russell curves a delectable whipped pass over the top of the Welsh defence, finding Graham in a tight channel but up against only Louis Rees-Zammit.
The Welsh wing sets his feet, which proves a fatal error, Graham like a wren through a hedge-row in taking space where there seemed to be none. A step, some strength, and a clean grounding in the corner.
Russell can’t quite convert.
Wales 6-0 Scotland, 11 minutes
Pierre Schoeman dips his huge chest into a Welsh tackler and produces a nifty shimmy, too, making two metres. Jonny Gray makes yet more advancement, and then Schoeman goes again.
Wider now, and into the hands of that great orchestrator Finn Russell...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments