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! FRANCE 27-21 Ireland (Cyril Baille try, 54 minutes)
A trademark French counter-ruck and the home side capitalise!
It’s a tactic that France have employed to such effect in the last year or so, piling bodies into the breakdown to jar the ball free, and pouncing as it does. Uini Atonio is the widest man on the French line and draws three defenders to him, smuggling the ball back.
Propping partner Cyril Baille is readied next, and as referee Angus Gardner goes tumbling away the French loosehead reaches a long arm out for the line.
France 22-21 Ireland, 53 minutes
Now it is France’s chance to show their skill in attack. Yoram Moefana’s shimmy is snazzy; Gabin Villiere’s carry off the offload punchy. Damian Penaud beats Hugo Keenan in a phone booth and only some scrambling Irish defence prevents a teammate collecting his infield pass and scoring.
France 22-21 Ireland, 52 minutes
Dan Sheehan has been really, really good off the bench so far. He’s such a talented carrier, a supreme athlete with real intelligence with his angles.
Jamison Gibson-Park slices his latest box kick more up than onwards, and Ireland knock-on. France scrum.
TRY! France 22-21 IRELAND (Jamison Gibson-Park try, 49 minutes)
The big lead is almost entirely wiped out! It’s a tale of two steps as Dan Sheehan first makes a half-break with a jiving jab off the left foot, before Jamison Gibson-Park follows his teammates lead, adding in the flourish of a dummy to further full the close-in French defenders.
A great gaping space opens alongside the upright and Gibson-Park hurries through it. Joey Carbery’s conversion is simpler this time, and Ireland trail by just one.
France 22-14 Ireland, 47 minutes
That has energised Ireland. A typically deft display of handling at the line from Tadhg Furlong allows Hugo Keenan a canter in open pasture, and the full-back nearly releases Josh van der Flier for a clear run beneath the posts. Keenan can’t quite free the arms.
Gabin Villiere is pinged for going off his feet at the ruck. Ireland kick back into the French 22.
TRY! France 22-14 IRELAND (Josh van der Flier try, 45 minutes)
And Ireland score! They take the lineout and drive firmly, with Josh van der Flier emerging from the middle of it to cross.
France question the role of Caelan Doris in front of his back-row colleague, blocking as he is like an NFL offensive lineman, but the officials are content it is all part of the original maul and the try stands.
Joey Carbery converts. Quite the riposte from Ireland just as the game seemed to be slowly slipping out of reach.
France 22-7 Ireland, 44 minutes
Another fine restart from Joey Carbery, with Ireland able to chase in good number, including Andrew Porter, who tackles and jackals, and wins a holding on penalty.
Ireland poke it into the corner.
PENALTY! FRANCE 22-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 43 minutes)
On the left, 45 metres out, but no trouble for Jaminet. What a find he has been in the last nine months or so - he was playing second-tier rugby until last July.
France 19-7 Ireland, 42 minutes
France’s line speed has been so impressive so far, and incredibly accurate. I don’t think they have yet been called to have strayed offside but they are consistently in Irish faces, limiting their ability to work those intricate interchanges.
Andrew Conway is offside, however, as Jamison Gibson-Park just delays his box kick slightly. Melvyn Jaminet will go for goal - this is his toughest so far but he’s been impeccable...
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