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 0-0 Scotland, 1 minute
Owen Watkin takes the opening kick-off and immediately beats two defenders, though is felled deep inside his own 22. Wales kick long and running it back in some style is Matt Fagerson, so impressive last week and sending two from him with a fierce fend!
Scotland enter the Welsh 22 for the first time, Ali Price and Finn Russell pulling the strings and Chris Harris sliding to the outside to make metres.
Here we go...
Berry has a last chat with Finn Russell, who will get things going.
Match Officials
It will be with Australian accents that anything controversial is discussed this afternoon, with referee Nic Berry assisted by compatriot Brett Cronan, the TMO. Wayne Barnes’ experience will be valuable on the touchline; Ireland’s Chris Busby has the other touch judge’s flag.
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau
Glasses down, volume up - for the first time in the Six Nations in nearly two years, the Welsh fans can sing “Land of My Fathers”. There aren’t too many finer sounds in sport. Wyn Jones and Ross Moriarty bash together in passion, Jones bowing his head from his look to the heavens and roaring those final notes.
Anthems
The players pause to stand for rugby against racism, applauded by the crowd.
A jaunty little lead-in from the brass band as they launch into “Flower of Scotland”, with a decent Scottish contingent in the crowd lending their throats to the players on the field as they bark out the verses. Princess Anne is among them, clad in tartan scarf.
Out come the teams
Grant Gilchrist leads Scotland out on his 50th cap, sporting a rather vibrant pair of yellow and blue boots. Stuart Hogg and the rest of the visiting side follow him out of a tunnel lit in deep Scottish blue.
There’s no special entrance afforded Dan Biggar, with his 100th in Welsh red likely to provide him with that honour, but the captain still leads the line for the first time in Cardiff, water bottle in hand and followed by his teammates as the fireworks and flamethrowers warm a capacity Principality crowd.
Will Wales hit back?
“This is a must, must win game for Wales,” says the other Jonathan Davies, with the former dual-code international his typically punchy self in the BBC studio.
“I think there will be an emotional reaction,” adds John Barclay, a former Scotland captain but so effective for the Scarlets in Llanelli for five years.
Will Wales hit back?
“This is a must, must win game for Wales,” says the other Jonathan Davies, with the former dual-code international his typically punchy self in the BBC studio.
“I think there will be an emotional reaction,” adds John Barclay, a former Scotland captain but so effective for the Scarlets in Llanelli for five years.
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