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:
France 13-7 Ireland, 19 minutes
Angus Gardner has had a good 20 minutes. He has been decisive and fair at the ruck, not permitting any tomfoolery but also allowing the game to flow. The latest French attempt to jackal is ruled illegal. Ireland penalty, and a lineout in French territory as a result.
France 13-7 Ireland, 18 minutes
Tadhg Furlong runs into Uini Atonio, a collision that registers on the Richter scale and ends with Furlong on his back, Atonio, standing tall.
Ireland go to the air, and Andrew Conway’s hand makes contact with a catcher in the air. Penalty to France
PENALTY! FRANCE 13-7 Ireland (Melvyn Jaminet penalty, 17 minutes)
From the right, Jaminet’s conversion sneaks inside the left-hand post.
France 10-7 Ireland, 16 minutes
But Paul Willemse then wins a holding on penalty at the breakdown. Melvyn Jaminet gestures for the tee again.
France 10-7 Ireland, 15 minutes
Variation! France throw a lineout googly, Julien Marchand showing sleight of hand to hit Antoine Dupont at the front, who returns the ball to his hooker in the five-metre channel.
Well covered by Ronan Kelleher. The Ireland hooker absolutely clatters against his opposite number, who is bumped over the touchline.
France 10-7 Ireland, 14 minutes
Ireland are penalised for failing to get back onside from a kick. Melvyn Jaminet launches a comet towards the Ireland 22.
France 10-7 Ireland, 13 minutes
Ireland play the double pull-back off the base of the scrum and Jamison Gibson-Park, looping around, threads a grubber on the angle into the French 22. The ball trots out of play on its end before Andrew Conway can get to it.
France 10-7 Ireland, 12 minutes
This is properly fast and loose, a real romp. Paul Willemse and Julien Marchand make up a massive midfield duet hoping to bash through two Irish tacklers but Romain Ntamack’s pass asks Willemse to stoop, and he can’t gather cleanly. Ireland scrum.
France 10-7 Ireland, 11 minutes
Ronan Kelleher puts a little too much mustard on his throw to the tail, and Ireland waste a good attacking platform. France clear to about the ten-metre, and a midfield fumble means the visitors again fail to gain momentum.
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